From intellectual craftsmanship to virtual context: methodological tools for social research

• Main Author: Tania Steren
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul 2010-01-01
• Series: Sociologias
• Subjects: Research techniques; Complexity; Triangulation; Qualitative and quantitative research; Mixed research methods
• Online Access: http://socialsciences.scielo.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1517-45222010000100003&lng=en&tlng=en

The present article examines the distinct methodological procedures, focusing particularly on research techniques. Both traditional and new strategies used in social research are characterized in the context of the information society. The paper highlights the impact of incorporating new information and communication technologies in bibliographical and documentary research and in fieldwork. In addition, the dichotomy between qualitative and quantitative approaches is challenged, in view of their complementarity and interfaces. The paradigm of complexity shows significant advance from an epistemological perspective, although while operative methodology it stands on its onsets. Therefore, the study discusses the issue of triangulation, conceived as a promising process in the search for a qual/quan approach. Therefore, there is room for an attempt to further explore the characteristics of technical procedures and resources that can be used by researchers who look for developing inquiries involving mixed methods.