Pragmatic approach in mixed methodology

David Morgan (2007:71) concisely captures the pragmatic alternative to the key issues in social science research methodology a table that summarises a framework:

Research approach:	Qualitative	Quantitative	Pragmatic
Connection of theory and data	Induction	Deduction	Abduction
Relationship to research process	Subjectivity	Objectivity	Intersubjectivity
Inference from data	Context	Generality	Transferability

Morgan acknowledges Michael Patton's 1975 divisions.

In the top row Morgan differentiates induction and deduction and points out that most research methodology text books asserts the connection of theory and data as key distinguishing factor between qualitative and quantitative research. Although such a sharp distinction is useful for teaching beginners research, in reality researchers tend only to be purely inductive or deductive when documenting for publication. The pragmatic version of abductive reasoning "moves back and forth between induction and deduction" (p. 71).

Pure or complete subjectivity and objectivity are theoretical concepts. In reality the researcher often works interchangeably. Therefore the pragmatic approach of intersubjectivity.

The pragmatic approach seeks to transcend the distinction between knowledge that is context-dependent, and knowledge that is universal and generalisable. Morgan argues that researchers must investigate the factors that determines if the knowledge gained is transferable to other settings.

Morgan (2007:73) finds it helpful to think:

• Qualitative research emphasises "an inductive-objective-contextual approach"
• Quantitative research emphasises "a deductive-objective-generalising approach"

When problems are encountered with any of the two absolute extremes, fortunately an alternative is available, namely the:

• Pragmatic approach, which emphasises "the abductive-intersubjective-transferable" possibilities.

Morgan, D.L. 2007. Paradigms lost and pragmatism regained — methodological implications of combining qualitative and quantitative methods. Journal of Mixed Method Research, 1(1), pp 48-76, January 2007.