Advantages gained by combining qualitative and quantitative data in a longitudinal study

Journal/Book: J Aging Stud. 1999; 13: 655 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10010, USA. Elsevier Science Inc. 369-376.

Abstract: Building on nearly 20 years of research experience, this paper reflects on the collection and use of both qualitative and quantitative data in a longitudinal study of aging conducted in the United Kingdom. Specifically, it focuses on the identification of the Wenger support network typology and the ways in which the interaction between the different types of data informed the study. Subsequently, it (1) draws attention to the fact that the typology would not have emerged in the way it did without intensive qualitative study, but shows how quantitative data made it possible to test hypotheses raised in the intensive study; and (2) shows how the use of qualitative data led to different interpretations of the quantitative data in the analysis over time.

Note: Article Wenger GC, Univ Wales, Inst Med & Social Care Res, Ctr Social Policy Res & Dev, Bangor LL57 2DG, Gwynedd, WALES

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