Qualitative methods: an alternative view.

The article focuses on the relevance of qualitative research in medical science and discusses the beliefs of the two paradigms, positivism and constructivism, which are related to it and mentions the views advocated by Lincoln and Guba related to these paradigms. It talks about the basic principles of philosophical basis of research and the relevance of these principles in medical science. It mentions the ideologies on which quantitative research methods are based and compares it with the principles of qualitative research. The authors conclude that both qualitative and quantitative research methods are relevant in medical science and both should be incorporated in medical researches. INSET: Lincoln and Guba, and Naturalistic Inquiry.