Mixing Qualitative Methods: Quality Assurance or Qualitative Quagmire?
Abstract
Although the advisability of combining qualitative and quantitative approaches has been questioned on the grounds of incompatibility of epistemological assumptions that underpin the two paradigms, mixing methods within the qualitative paradigm has been viewed as a more straightforward enterprise. This article challenges this view, highlighting the existence of several qualitative traditions, each with its own distinctive set of assumptions about what constitutes appropriate research questions; theoretical frameworks; research settings; relationships with those whom we study; techniques for eliciting data; form and content of data; and approaches to analyzing, presenting, and disseminating data. Multimethod qualitative approaches can be seen to occupy a contested domain. Analytical rigor would be strengthened by acknowledging and addressing the potentially contradictory assumptions on which one draws when seeking to combine qualitative methods. As qualitative researchers, it is incumbent on us to pay attention to context—not just in terms of the data collected but in terms of our own methodological positions.
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Therefore, qualitative research does not readily lend itself to the production or observance of a hierarchy of evidence.
“Therefore, it does not readily lend itself to the production or observance of such a hierarchy of evidence.18”
From Checklists for improving rigour in qualitative research: a case of the tail wagging the dog? (2001) · cites this paper as [18]
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- Authors
- Barbour, R. S.
- Affiliations
- University of Hull (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Barbour, Rosaline S.
- Venue
- Qualitative Health Research
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 1998-05
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 352-361
- ISSN
- 1049-7323 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7557
- OpenAlex
- W2147296203
- Cited by
- 210
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 19.28
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Qualitative Health Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
- Social Sciences › Education › Educational Research and Methods
- Keywords
- mixed methods, qualitative research traditions, epistemological assumptions, research questions, data elicitation, data analysis, research ethics, methodological positions
- MeSH terms
- Data Collection, Health Services Research, Humans, Research Design
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