Mixed Methods

This week’s case study illustrated the different strengths of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods of research. In the process of extracting a purely qualitative and quantitative approach to the problem it became clear that real organizations are faced with complex problems that interweave both qual and quant issues. I believe that for all practical purposes, mixed methods are necessary to understand and solve real business problems. It is not sufficient to understand the financial problems of the company, without also understanding how these are impacting the morale of the employees.

Businesses are social structures that handle money. They are not financial structures that use people as parts. Though an organization may report its progress and activities in financial terms, all of that can only be accomplished through the application of human effort that is willingly applied. Money is a motivator to buy effort, but you cannot pay for all of the effort that is available from a person, and you cannot afford it even if you could. You must create an organization that generates social and psychic payment for services as well as financial payment. In this sense you pay people by the way you treat them and make them feel. This generates additional effort beyond 40 hours/week.

Mixed research methods provide the flexibility necessary to be able to explore all areas of the complex social structure known as a business. Measuring finances or production rates is difficult. Measuring the human dynamic of the organization is also difficult. Finding a way to combine the two and identify a relationship between them is much more difficult. Figuring out how to convert revenue into emotional satisfaction is a form of alchemy and the formula for the conversion is different in every organization.