Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods: A Research Model

Abstract

A historical antagonism between proponents of qualitative methods and quantitative methods has prevented recognition of the benefits to be gained by employing both methods (that is, a multi-method approach) during the same study or program of studies. Increasingly, family therapy researchers have begun to recognize the value of a multi-method approach in bridging the current gaps among theory, research, and practice. However, current writings have yet to move beyond the discussion stage. This article proposes a bidirectional continuum that includes both qualitative and quantitative methods. An ethnographic content analysis approach is presented to illustrate the procedural stages of this continuum. The article ends with a discussion of the challenges in carrying out a bidirectional, multi-method approach and the potential contributions that an integrative research methodology will give both researchers and clinicians.

The State of the Art in Family Therapy Research: What Works? How it Works?

“…Specifically in SFT, the qualitative-interpretative method (content analysis, case study, Grounded Theory, for example) is a privileged path in the clinical process study, namely to formulate theoretical concepts from the participants' detailed descriptions (Sells, Smith, & Sprenkle, 1999). These theoretical concepts are often transformed into hypotheses, which are then tested through quantitative methods (research, empirical studies, for example), the results of which indicate the validity (or not) of those same hypotheses.…”

“…These theoretical concepts are often transformed into hypotheses, which are then tested through quantitative methods (research, empirical studies, for example), the results of which indicate the validity (or not) of those same hypotheses. When these procedures are used in the same study and both methodologies are conjugated, the adopted model is mixed or multimethod (Sells et al, 1999). According to Sells et al (1999), the multimethod model (combination of a variety of methodologies) is the most comprehensive for family therapy research, since it benefits from the potential of both methods and promotes the connection between theory, research and clinical practice.…”

Increasing Financial Health through Casework Interventions

“…An iterative model of process-outcome research is one promising methodology (Sells, Smith, & Sprenkle, 1995). In this model, the researcher starts with a qualitative study such as an ethnography.…”

Reducing Adolescent Substance Abuse and Delinquency: Pilot Research of a Family-Oriented Psychoeducation Curriculum

“…The six-week Parenting with Love and Limits psychoeducational program was developed from a three-year process-outcome research study (Sells, 1998;Sells, 2000, Sells, Smith & Sprenkle, 1995 Two group facilitators led a small group of parents, caregivers, and their teenagers (no more than 4-6 families with no more than 15 people total in the group) in six classes, each two hours long. Two co-facilitators are needed because breakout groups were an essential piece of the program.…”