Integration of Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches as a Methodological Issue in Social Psychology

Abstract

Background. G.M. Andreeva set an issue in social psychology that still remains relevant today. It concerns the correlation of two series of patterns in the process of socio-psychological research. These patterns are social development and the development of the human psyche. In this regard, new tasks of intrascientific reflection arise, one of which is the analysis of the methodological problem of integrating qualitative and quantitative methods in socio-psychological research. The idea of integrating two classes of methods is reflected in the systemic approach of B.F. Lomov and remains relevant in the context of the trend towards mixed methods research in social sciences. The need to integrate qualitative and quantitative methods is due to the specifics of social psychology, which is located at the junction of sociology and psychology. Objective. The aim of the article is to identify the features of the integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches in social psychology through the prism of methodological levels. Methods. Theoretical analysis of Russian and foreign works and their systematization based on the levels of methodology. Results. At the level of general methodology, from the standpoint of post-non-classical rationality, the components of scientistic (quantitative) and qualitative methodological approaches are considered. The choice of pragmatism as the philosophical basis of “mixed methods” is justified. At the level of particular methodology, the principles of complementarity and expediency of integration specific to “mixed methods” are disclosed. The set of specific methodological research techniques is presented through options for combining qualitative and quantitative data in interpretation and report. Conclusions. The highlighted specificity of the integration of qualitative and quantitative methods at different levels of methodology outlines the direction for its further elaboration and refinement. It also allows to shift the focus from an intuitive combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to the reflective and conscious application of such a research strategy.

Keywords

• mixed research methods
• integration of qualitative and quantitative methods
• qualitative methods
• quantitative methods
• levels of methodology