Revisiting the quantitative-qualitative-mixed methods labels: Research questions, developments, and the need for replication

The goal of science is to establish laws and principles that can help us explain phenomena in our world and universe in a systematic manner and, in many cases, how we may be able to predict and/or influence these phenomena. In this endeavour, qualitative and quantitative research methods can provide us with useful tools. However, these methods have been assigned several unconstructive labels that, although perceived as useful anchors, can result in ill-founded choices of methods used in a study. This article discusses several of these frequently encountered labels and argues that they may contribute to a continued quantitative-qualitative divide, as we have witnessed in the field of medical education, but are not constructive for the practice of science. To establish laws and principles, we need well-designed scientific studies and replications of these studies. Regardless of which methods we use, to enable replication, we need to document all choices and decisions made throughout a study.