Enhancing Mixed Methods pragmatism with systems theory: Perspectives from educational research

TY - JOUR

T1 - Enhancing Mixed Methods pragmatism with systems theory

T2 - Perspectives from educational research

AU - Christensen, Jacob Højgaard

PY - 2022/1/1

Y1 - 2022/1/1

N2 - Paradigmatic frameworks are central to philosophical and theoretical discussions of mixed methods research. This article argues that in mixed methods research, systems theory provides a paradigmatic stance that in some cases may be regarded as more suitable than other prominent paradigmatic stances, such as pragmatism. This article develops this argument by discussing the key terms within a distinguished understanding of pragmatism, from which a systems‐theoretical alternative to mixed methods educational research is derived, comprising three main themes: (a) second‐order observation as an alternative to abductive reasoning, (b) the distinction between system and environment as an alternative to intersubjectivity and (c) structural coupling as an alternative to the transferability of mixed methods research results. Throughout this article, the main arguments are elaborated with perspectives from educational research.

AB - Paradigmatic frameworks are central to philosophical and theoretical discussions of mixed methods research. This article argues that in mixed methods research, systems theory provides a paradigmatic stance that in some cases may be regarded as more suitable than other prominent paradigmatic stances, such as pragmatism. This article develops this argument by discussing the key terms within a distinguished understanding of pragmatism, from which a systems‐theoretical alternative to mixed methods educational research is derived, comprising three main themes: (a) second‐order observation as an alternative to abductive reasoning, (b) the distinction between system and environment as an alternative to intersubjectivity and (c) structural coupling as an alternative to the transferability of mixed methods research results. Throughout this article, the main arguments are elaborated with perspectives from educational research.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85093941268&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/sres.2751

DO - 10.1002/sres.2751

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1092-7026

VL - 39

SP - 104

EP - 115

JO - Systems Research and Behavioral Science

JF - Systems Research and Behavioral Science

IS - 1

ER -