We explore the current and, it would appear, the increasing opposition by some nurse academics to the notion that the traditional scientific methods are suitable for deriving knowledge of essentially social constructions and events. We caution against pursuing an anti-quantitative rhetoric and argue that a rapprochement is possible between contrasting methodologies. To argue for one methodology to the exclusion of all others is both naive and simplistic. All research traditions can be criticized for failing to do justice to social phenomena; it is therefore incumbent upon nurse researchers to be aware of the relative merits of each approach. An example is provided on how different research methodologies can be profitably combined.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Health Sciences
Research Group:	Health services and systems
Research Field:	Mental health services
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Public health (excl. specific population health)
Objective Field:	Mental health
UTAS Author:	Farrell, GA (Professor Gerald Farrell)
ID Code:	11259
Year Published:	1997
Deposited By:	Health Sciences B
Deposited On:	1997-08-01
Last Modified:	2011-08-12
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