medical research paradigms: positivistic inquiry paradigm versus naturalistic inquiry paradigm

there were several reasons that triggered this study. firstly, it arose from our early experience as a health care provider and then as a research officer. during these periods of our working life, the authors were struck by the philosophical contrast between positivistic (quantitative) inquiry approach and naturalistic (qualitative) inquiry approach on the one hand and the authority and the influence of the quantitative inquiry methods in medical schools on the other hand.