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.