Description

Methodological thinking in psychology: Starting from mixed methods

FRANCESCO ARCIDIACONO

Institute of Psychology and Education, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

EUGENIO DE GREGORIO

Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper is to revise the development of the methodological thinking in psychology, underlying the central role of mixed methods. The article is based on a discussion on the main general aspects of mixed methods, in order to show that mixed methods does necessarily produce a new starting point in the mismatch between quantitative and qualitative methods. Through the discussion of these aspects, the paper highlights conditions in which mixed methods can become fruitful instruments of research.

Keywords: methodology, psychological thinking, mixed methods, paradigms, quantitative and qualitative analysis