Positivism

Roots: Founded by Auguste Comte in the 19th century, positivism draws heavily on the natural sciences.
It emphasizes the scientific method as the ideal way to understand human behavior.

Scientific method: Positivists believe the scientific method is the best way to understand the social
world. They emphasize objectivity and replicability, seeking to uncover universal laws of human
behavior just like the natural sciences [1].

Quantitative data: Positivists favor quantitative data, relying on numbers, statistics, and surveys to
measure and analyze social phenomena. This allows for comparisons and generalizations across
populations [2].

External reality: Positivists assume there's an objective reality "out there" that can be discovered
through observation and experimentation. The researcher acts as a neutral observer, independent of
the phenomenon being studied [3].

Interpretivism
Origins: Emerging in opposition to positivism, interpretivism emphasizes the subjective nature of social
reality.

Subjective meaning: Interpretivists believe social reality is subjective and constructed through social
interaction and interpretation. They focus on understanding the meanings people attach to their
experiences and how these meanings shape their actions .

Qualitative data: Interpretivists prefer qualitative data, such as interviews, focus groups, and
observations, to capture the richness of human experience and the perspectives of individuals within a
social context .

Social construction: Interpretivists argue that reality is not fixed, but rather socially constructed through
shared meanings and understandings. The researcher is seen as inevitably involved in the research
process, influencing and being influenced by the participants .
Pragmatism
Pragmatism is a philosophical approach that goes hand-in-hand with mixed methods research. Here's
the breakdown:

**Pragmatism in Research:**

* Emphasizes using the most effective methods to answer your specific research question [1].

* Focuses on the usefulness and practicality of the research findings [2].

* Doesn't prioritize a single method (quantitative or qualitative) but chooses the best tool for the job [4].

**Mixed Methods Research:**

* Combines quantitative (numbers, surveys) and qualitative (interviews, observations) data collection
methods in a single study [3].

* Aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a research problem than either method
alone [3].

**The Pragmatist Connection:**

* Pragmatism provides the philosophical foundation for using mixed methods [4].

* It aligns with the mixed methods goal of choosing the best methods to answer complex questions [1,
3].

* This approach allows researchers to leverage the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative data to
gain a richer picture [2].

For instance, a researcher studying the effectiveness of a new teaching method might use surveys
(quantitative) to measure student achievement and conduct interviews (qualitative) to understand
student experiences with the method. This combined approach, guided by pragmatism, can provide a
more complete understanding of the method's impact.
What are five rationale for mixed method approach

There are several rationales for using a mixed methods approach in research, but here are five key ones:

Triangulation: This involves using different methods to examine the same phenomenon from multiple
angles. By comparing quantitative and qualitative results, researchers can assess the consistency of their
findings and increase the trustworthiness of their conclusions [1].

Complementarity: Sometimes, one method provides a strong foundation, while another method adds
depth and richness. For instance, surveys (quantitative) might reveal broad trends in customer
satisfaction, while interviews (qualitative) can shed light on the specific reasons behind those trends,
providing a more complete picture [2].

Development: A mixed methods approach can be used in a sequential way, where findings from one
method inform the design of the subsequent method. For example, pilot interviews (qualitative) might
be used to develop a survey questionnaire (quantitative) that accurately captures the relevant aspects of
the participants' experiences [3].

Initiation: A mixed methods approach can spark new research questions or challenge the initial
assumptions based on findings from different methods. For example, quantitative data might reveal an
unexpected pattern, prompting qualitative interviews to explore the reasons behind it and potentially
leading to new research avenues [4].

Expansion: Mixed methods research allows researchers to broaden the scope of their investigation by
incorporating both the breadth of quantitative data and the depth of qualitative data. This can provide a
more holistic understanding of the phenomenon under study [5].