Qualitative and quantitative methodology in the studies in administration and organizations: lessons of the history of Science

Abstract

This work of theoretical nature investigates the contributions of the history of science to the production of scientific knowledge in the field of management and organizational studies. It was found in the study that the theories concerning the management and organizational studies are fallible and remain subject to a ongoing improvement or replacement. So, one should accept the idea of the need of constant transformation and improvement of knowledge. Became evident that the studies in administration and organizations witnessed a change of paradigm when classical school of management was questioned and added of new paradigms. In that way, that field of studies has become pluralistic, with conflicts among paradigms and average science, the questions concerning their research methodologies not being different at all. In this context, the history of science can present important lessons in showing that scientific revolution was not accepted peacefully, but by means of tough discussions and apparent contradictions. Several authors sought an approach between Social Ciences and Natural. Thus, the joint use of qualitative and quantitative methodologies is more and more present in management and
organizational research granting a greater legitimacy to the different manners of approaching the theme. The debates about which is the best approach remain, in spite of a greater dialogue between these two chains of methodological thought being happening in the latest decades.