William O’Connor Director Qualitative Research Unit

1. 3rd ESRC Research Methods Festival • Session 64 What do qualitative researchers want from quantitative research? • William O’Connor • Director • Qualitative Research Unit

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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’

5. 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!

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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