Practical Strategies for Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods: Applications to Health Research

TLDR

The article outlines a Priority‑Sequence Model for integrating qualitative and quantitative methods, emphasizing complementarity. The model first selects a principal method (qualitative or quantitative) and then determines whether the complementary method precedes or follows, yielding four basic designs: preliminary qualitative in quantitative, preliminary quantitative in qualitative, follow‑up qualitative in quantitative, and follow‑up quantitative in qualitative. The conclusions discuss additional research designs and the expertise required for multiple‑methods research.

Abstract

This article describes a series of research designs for combining qualitative and quantitative methods, using a Priority-Sequence Model that relies on the principle of complementarity. First, a decision about the priority of the two methods selects either a qualitative or a quantitative approach to be the principal method. Second, a decision about sequencing determines whether the complementary method will serve as either a preliminary or a follow-up to the principal method. These two decisions yield four basic research designs: (a) preliminary qualitative methods in a quantitative study, (b) preliminary quantitative methods in a qualitative study, (c) follow-up qualitative methods in a quantitative study, and (d) follow-up quantitative methods in a qualitative study. The conclusions consider further research designs and the expertise necessary for multiple-methods research.