Reflections

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter starts with general discussions about divides in the wider research community and then narrows down the focus to the biographical life course approach and the various suggestions that have been put forward for bridging methodological divides. Mixed methods strategies across the quantitative-qualitative gap is the title of a section that presents different research designs in such studies that make use of both quantitative and qualitative material. It discusses challenges and potential barriers against incorporating both types of data along a continuum of statistical techniques for causal analyses on the one end, and biographical material for exploring social processes, on the other. Examples from empirical research illustrate the points raised. Questions of quality in biographical life course research is the topic of a separate section that underlines how different research strategies and approaches invite specific types of questions in relation to e.g., generalisability. The chapter ends with some general reflections inspired by research from this approach in contemporary society.