Incompatibility thesis

Incompatibility thesis in research methodology is an argument that the quantitative research and qualitative research paradigms cannot coexist. This thesis is supported by philosophies of post-structuralists and post-modernists (among others), who argue for the exclusive superiority of their qualitative orientation and are strongly opposed to any mixing of those two paradigms (as is advocated by the proponents of mixed-method research who support the compatibility thesis).

References

• Onwuegbuzie, Anthony and Nancy Leech. 2005. “Taking the “Q” Out of Research: Teaching Research Methodology Courses Without the Divide Between Quantitative and Qualitative Paradigms.” Quality and Quantity 39:267-296.