Paradigms Lost and Pragmatism Regained: Methodological Implications of Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods.

Abstract

The paper looks at research paradigms and methods, focusing upon the distinction between quantitative ("positivist") approaches and “the metaphysical paradigm" which underpins a shift to qualitative methodology, and thence to research pragmatism. A large part of the paper is concerned with interpreting these approaches through Kuhn's argument about scientific revolutions (suggesting that the term paradigm was used 20 different ways, with 4 distinct versions being evident. The author suggests that a pragmatic approach offers a large number of benefits. Much of the argument is focused around aspect of philosophy of knowledge, with the ultimate suggestion being that methodology needs to be separated from ontology to a greater degree that has occurred with prior traditions, and that pragmatism provides this opportunity.