Qualitative and Multimethod Research: Organizations, Publication, and Reflections on Integration

This article describes the rapid development of institutions for the study of qualitative methods in the past decade. It first begins by presenting an overview of the approach to methodology that underpins the idea of qualitative and multimethod work. It then discusses these new organizations, in particular the Organized Section on Qualitative and Multi-Method Research of the American Political Science Association, and the annual Institute for Qualitative and Multi-Method Research. It outlines the patterns of publication, and a conclusion considers briefly the merits of an integrative, versus a separate tracks, approach to coordinating alternative methodologies. The formation of the organizations linked with qualitative/multimethod work reflected the need for methodologists with convergent skills and objectives to have a meaningful forum for dialogue.