Quantitative versus Qualitative is a Distraction: Variations on a Theme by Brewer and Hunter (2006)

Abstract

Much thinking about the nature of research problems today uses the quant-qual distinction as a master category. This can do more harm than good. The emergence of so-called mixed methods has not alleviated the problem of overemphasizing the differences between quant and qual. This paper discusses how the quant-qual distinction distracts us from consideration of more important issues, and tends to constrain opportunities for innovation. It is written following the analogy of variations on a simple musical theme. The simple theme is: focusing on the distinction between quantitative and qualitative, and on methods of mixing them, ‘ignores a wider range of methodological problems and opportunities to solve them’. I have written 10 variations on this theme of how the quantitative-qualitative division distracts from more important methodological problems and solutions. I will first quickly introduce the variations, as a sort of overture, and then return to each and elaborate on it.