Combining Scientific Worldviews in Mixed Methods Research

Abstract

Graduate students and novice researchers can face scientific worldview-related stereotypes, stigmatization, and disruptive tensions during mixed methods research meetings. To avoid such difficulties, there is a need to better understand how to use and combine several worldviews in the same mixed methods study. Yet, little is known on ‘how to' combine worldviews. In this chapter, the authors report their literature review of key reference texts and a sample of mixed methods empirical studies. Key findings show five common contemporary worldviews (postpositivism, social constructivism, pragmatism, critical theory, and critical realism) and six possible combinations of worldviews in mixed methods studies: three combinations without integration (a-paradigmatic, substantive theory, and single worldview) and three combinations with integration (multiple worldviews, complementary strengths, and dialectical pluralism). This led to propose a framework and aid for combining worldviews to help team members to prevent and manage worldview-related disruptive tensions in their mixed methods projects.

How to use mixed methods in oral health research

“…However, a research team that promotes effective communication among its members and appreciates each member's worldview may ensure coherence and understanding of the dimensions of a wicked problem, and thereby using appropriate tools and processes to ‘defragment’ that problem. Pluye et al suggest a framework and aid for combining worldviews to help team members prevent and manage worldview‐related disruptive tensions in a mixed methods study 10 …”

“…Pluye et al suggest a framework and aid for combining worldviews to help team members prevent and manage worldview-related disruptive tensions in a mixed methods study. 10 What is needed is a research team of scientists who share the conviction that both quantitative and qualitative approaches are legitimate scientific endeavours. If we can agree that these different approaches uniquely contribute to the understanding of a problem or phenomenon, we are better positioned to combine them in a study or series of studies through a mixed methods research program.…”

Examining students’ perception of rural practice following an educational strategy aimed at preparing postsecondary students for rural careers: a systematic review protocol for qualitative studies

“…A health sciences librarian in consultation with the research team developed a search strategy that employs both keywords and subject headings, as detailed in online supplemental appendix I. To target qualitative studies, two qualitative research filters were adapted and used in this search 36 37. On peer-review and publication of the protocol, the search terms will be updated, and searches will be completed in Medline (Ovid), CINAHL (Ebscohost), ERIC (Proquest), Social Services Abstracts (Proquest), PsycINFO (Proquest), IEEE Xplore.…”

Honoring the Legacy of Pierre Pluye

“…In 2016, Pierre conceptualized a framework of the combination of integration strategies, organized according to three categories of integration: connection of phases, comparison of results, and assimilation of data (Pluye, Garcia Bengoechea, et al, 2018). More recently, his profound interest in the philosophy of science led him to study the disruptive tensions related to worldviews during mixed methods research meetings and to develop an aid for combining worldviews (Pluye et al, 2022). Pierre’s legacy also includes being one of the founders of Méthodes Mixtes Francophonie (MMF), a thriving international research community established in 2016 for French-speaking researchers and trainees.…”