William O’Connor Director Qualitative Research Unit

William O’Connor

Director

Qualitative Research Unit

3rd ESRC Research Methods FestivalSession 64

What do qualitative researchers want from quantitative

research?

3rd ESRC Methods Festival Session 64 William O’Connor

Context

• Not for profit institute • Applied social research • Organisation has both qualitative and quantitative

departments• Qual and quant are not usually located together (though there

are pockets of co-location)• But a great portion of studies we work on involve both qual

and quant methods • So… lots of food for thought


There is no simple answer…

• Qualitative research a very broad church• Diversity of approaches • Different views about epistemology• Distinct skill sets• What each wants or needs from quantitative could vary

considerably


Methodology

• Group discussion with 12 qualitative researchers• Varied experience of joint working on mixed methods approaches

– Integrated team– Separate teams specialising in different methods

• Different levels of seniority within the organisation• Assorted identities:

– Social researchers who specialise in qual methods– Qualitative researchers

• Different perceptions of ‘the divide’


So what did they want?

• Effective joint working has three basic building blocks:– Understanding– Shared purpose– Respect

• These are requirements for all researchers – not just quantitative!


Understanding qualitative research

• Problems occur in mixed methods studies because of: – A lack of understanding of purpose and utility– Inability to grasp the basis and explanatory power – An assumption that qual research is easy to do and to understand

(unscientific)

• a basic understanding of the other method was seen as key to joint working

– Without the need to become technical experts in the other methodology– Increased awareness of what matters in the other method can lead to

better design and execution of research


Shared purpose

• A well developed sense of what trying to achieve together– Pursue an integrated design not cobble together two (or more)

different studies

• Ability to see both methods as complementary– Not one as an adjunct to the other

• Ensuring practical arrangements facilitate:– Building relationships– Good communication– Shared dialogue (about design, execution, outputs)– Pooled resources


Respect…

• Fundamental lack of respect seen as key barrier to effective joint working

– Perceived dominance of a quantitative methods generally– Quant components are ‘the most important parts’– Qual is there to ‘provide colour’, ‘supplementary’, ‘contributory’

• Assumption that quant garners universal understanding– If you are or want to be a social researcher, you must

understand quant– Qual is a niche approach, an option, not part of the mainstream


What is the most effective way of working?

• Substantively focused teams of people with varied methodological expertise was preferred

– But fear that qual researchers could be in the minority– Fewer opportunities to deepen skills and learn from other qual

researchers?– Can lessen perceived division between the paradigms

• Teams dedicated to a specific methodology are also effective– But only where the appropriate building blocks are in place– Useful way of ensuring that specialist skills are not lost – But risks exacerbating the divide between methods


Researcher Training

• Crucial in preparing researchers for engaging in mixed methods investigations

• Problems caused by the dominance of qual or quant in academic program

• Of most value is research training that prioritises people’s understanding of research in its totality

• Ideal learning route is one that:– Educates about the different philosophical underpinnings– Develops practical skills and approaches – But also underscores the complementary nature of each approach

William O’Connor Director Qualitative Research Unit

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