Description

Logical connectors and mixed methods research

STEVEN I. MILLER

School of Education, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago IL, USA

MARCEL FREDERICKS

Department of Sociology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago IL, USA

ABSTRACT

This brief paper argues for the necessity of providing a justification framework for MM research. This framework is postulated to be one that must be consistent with at least some principles of ‘formal logic’. To this end, we explore the possibility of how elementary logical ‘connectors’ might be used in the task. We also briefly examine the VET (varied evidence theory) position of the necessity of varied evidence for the MM enterprise. Our overall conclusion is that MM must continue to explore this issue, and we find only minor support at the present for the possibility of using logical connectors. This support lies in the further study of the ‘conjunction’ and ‘alternation’ connectors.

Keywords: mixed methods research, evidence, justification, confirmation, conditionalization