"Methodological pluralism is an increasingly common feature of social research." In the context of this statement, discuss the ways in which multi-strategy research can be used.

Scholars today like Alan Bryman argue for choosing the methodology which fits best and caters to the need of the research subject. This approach of Methodological Pluralism is being embraced by recent scholars.

Multi strategy research is the one in which both micro & macro or both qualitative & quantitative research methods are incorporated simultaneously.

(•) Multi strategy research can widen our understanding of social phenomenon.

(•) Where convenient and available, quantitative data can be collected for those variables which are quantifiable and objective.

(•) Otherwise, for understanding the meanings and motives, the qualitative methods can be used.

Eg: If a hypothesis is such that poverty and crime are taken as independent and dependent variables. It can be further broken down into intervening variables like range of poverty, household in poverty, members in a family, income etc. The availability of basic facilitis like drinking water, sanitation, education can be parameters for poverty too.

While incidence of crime can be studied by no. of criminals, no. of times jailed, juvenile delinquent etc. In this study; multi strategy approach →

⊙ Census survey - secondary data or SECC can give update data about facilites available like electricity, water, LPG, sanitation etc

⊙ Interviews, can be used to find out level of education, health, family members etc to understand poverty

⊙ Govt records of crime can be used from police.

⊙ Participant Observation can help one to delve into deep linkages of what causes poor to take up crime & what motives are there. It was used by Sudhir Venkatesh in "Gang leader for a day". A deeper meaning about constraints, needs & latent functions can be observed in a field study.