Beyond the qualitative–quantitative distinction: Some innovative methods for business and management research

Abstract

Focusing upon a number of increasingly popular approaches to mixed methods research, this paperprovides a brief overview of fully integrated research methods that transcend the quantitative–qualitative divide. Introducing a range of sophisticated mixed method designs that have beensuccessfully applied in business and management research, it provides insight into the potentialbenefi ts of mixed methods. In addressing integrated mixed methods, and applications in businessand management research, the discussion signposts how these methods allow for qualitative analysisthat is systematic, formal, rigorous and procedurally replicable. Further, it identifi es how integratedmixed methods can make it possible to achieve intensity and richness associated with qualitativeresearch when dealing with more than a handful of cases. As such, the paper has particular relevanceto qualitative researchers with an interest in exploring innovative and productive mixed methods.