Mixing Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

Abstract

The contribution aims to show methodological positions and practical approaches that allow a mixing of qualitative and quantitative methods. First conflicting paradigms in modern psychology are analyzed as being mainly debates of methods. The consequence is, that in order to overcome those paradigm controversies we need a (pragmatic, constructivist or dialectical) paradigm. On that basis the possibilities of mixing qualitative and quantitative methods can be discussed. The paper presents two possibilities: Combination models put different studies into a sequence (from qualitative to quantitative or from quantitative to qualitative) or organize studies on different levels. Integration models put together qualitative and quantitative steps of analysis in one general research design. The mixed methodology approach of Tashakkori & Teddlie and the different types of triangulation are discussed as such integration models. Examples of combination and integration models taken from my own research are given