In an empirical study of mixed methods researchers, Bryman (2007) found that
“pragmatic” researchers seem not to dwell on epistemological and ontological positions
but rather focus on ways of combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies in the
overall research process. Scott and Briggs (2009, p. 231) also argue that in practice,
mixed method researchers are guided by the rationale for their research, rather than by
epistemology and conclude “methodology is in practice commonly agnostic to
epistemology”. The implication here is the rejection of the incompatibility thesis in
practice as researchers seek convergence in methodology and allow such convergence to
guide the research process