QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODS - IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE

The social sciences are particularly self-concious about their methodo logies, and the distinction between quantitative and qualitative metho ds is more distinctly drawn than it should be. To some extent, propone nts of both approaches have exaggerated the differences. Arguments opp osed to quantitative methods are refutable, and methodological plurali sm is needed and should be encouraged. Clinical and formulaic approach es to inquiry may be distinguished, but the two approaches may be used within the same line of inquiry but at different stages in the proces s leading from data collection, through analysis and interpretation, t o utilization of information. In fact, both approaches may be used at the same points with the additional benefit of permitting triangulatio n on a closer approximation to the truth.