Qualitative Multi-Methodology: Best Practices and Pitfalls

• In Event: Innovations and Applications in Qualitative Content Analysis

Abstract

Although burgeoning studies on qualitative research methods have been quite helpful in demonstrating the diversity of such methodological tools, not much has been written to map out these tools' differential functions in the entire research process and explain how they can complement each other. From hypothesis testing to measurement and conceptualization, research process consists of different stages. In most stages, qualitative research methods usually share a lot, but there are also stages in which qualitative methods can offer different functionalities like generalization and causal identification as well as data collection. First, we offer an account of these differences. Second, to offer a practical guideline, we explain how researchers can compliment qualitative methods to satisfy the requirements of modern social science inquiry. More specifically, we explain how qualitative tools can be utilized most effectively at each research step and how each qualitative tool can be combined with others throughout entire research process. Particularly in data generation, causal identification and generalization, we have a considerable maneuvering space to form optimal combinations of qualitative tools that can best serve the needs of our research. By drawing on an original data set which documents how various qualitative tools are employed in various academic outlets, our research aims to identify best practices, spot prevalent shortcomings, and offer possible solutions.

Authors

• Mehmet Hecan, Princeton University

• Mehmet Yegin