I feel strongly that there is the need for a discourse on the significance of qualitative and mixed methodologies in the 21st century research endeavours, particularly with regards to management and social sciences.
This question becomes imperative for me in this part of the world (i.e. Nigeria) where it is becoming increasingly difficult to convince many of my academic colleagues on the significance of such germane methods in carrying out research in these continually emerging behavioural fields.
The term “mixed methods” refers to an emergent methodology of research that advances the systematic integration, or “mixing,” of quantitative and qualitative data within a single investigation or sustained program of inquiry. The basic premise of this methodology is that such integration permits a more complete and synergistic utilization of data than do separate quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis ( Homer CJ, Klatka K, Romm D 2008)
The following are the significance of mixed approach particularly in management and social science
Compares quantitative and qualitative data. Mixed methods are especially useful in understanding contradictions between quantitative results and qualitative findings.
Reflects participants’ point of view. Mixed methods give a voice to study participants and ensure that study findings are grounded in participants’ experiences.
Fosters scholarly interaction. Such studies add breadth to multidisciplinary team research by encouraging the interaction of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods scholars.
Provides methodological flexibility. Mixed methods have great flexibility and are adaptable to many study designs, such as observational studies and randomized trials, to elucidate more information than can be obtained in only quantitative research.
Collects rich, comprehensive data. Mixed methods also mirror the way individuals naturally collect information—by integrating quantitative and qualitative data. For example, sports stories frequently integrate quantitative data (scores or number of errors) with qualitative data (descriptions and images of highlights) to provide a more complete story than either method would alone.
It can be noted the using of qualitative,quantitative or mixed approach depend with the nature of study/field in which a researcher intends to conduct.
How significant are qualitative and mixed methodologies, particularly in management and social sciences?
I think both qualitative & mixed methods (especially sequential exploratory design) are significantly contributing to knowledge contribution in the fields of management & social science. There are many social science & management theories were started off from / discovered using qualitative or sequential exploratory design e.g. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, Piaget's Learning Theory, Pavlov's Classical Conditioning Theory etc. (there are many more that I can't recall at the moment).
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