On Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Research – Expectations and Doubts

Abstract

The thesis that the significance attributed to specific methodological solutions depends on their theoretical interpretation is not new. Nevertheless, among some researchers there is still a tendency to “make methods independent” (to omit their theoretical context). This tendency is expressed by expectations regarding mixed-methods, as if there were no previous discussions about “paradigmatic disproportions”. Different methods are being combined in one research study under the term of “triangulation” (its two functions are discussed) or “method mixing”. The author argues that accepting a new name does not solve any of the old problems. As an exemplification of selected problems she presents a sample of results from the conducted research: evaluation of professional development formulated by graduates of pedagogical studies. This evaluation was obtained in two ways: through a questionnaire (survey method) and in a free interview (method of objective hermeneutics).