title: Revisiting the Quantitative-Qualitative Debate: Implications for Mixed-Methods Research.
abstract: Health care research includes many studies that combine quantitative and qualitative methods. In this paper, we revisit the quantitative-qualitative debate and review the arguments for and against using mixed-methods. In addition, we discuss the implications stemming from our view, that the paradigms upon which the methods are based have a different view of reality and therefore a different view of the phenomenon under study. Because the two paradigms do not study the same phenomena, quantitative and qualitative methods cannot be combined for cross-validation or triangulation purposes. However, they can be combined for complementary purposes. Future standards for mixed-methods research should clearly reflect this recommendation.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Work & Health; Health Research Methodology Program, Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, McMaster University.
authors.forename: Joanna E M
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Sale
authors.affiliation: St. Joseph's Hospital and Home; Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, McMaster University.
authors.forename: Lynne H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Lohfeld
authors.affiliation: St. Joseph's Health Care System Research Network, St. Joseph's Community Health Centre; Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, McMaster University.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brazil
keywords: mixed-methodology; qualitative methods; quantitative methods; quantitative-qualitative debate; scientific paradigms