Future Opportunities for Quasi-Experimentation: 
Bridging the Positivist-Interpretivist Divide

Despite the weaknesses mentioned above, quasi-experimentation is designed to flourish in a methodologically diverse universe - one in which the research question, not an ideological or methodological commitment, guides the investigator’s choice of method. 

Historically, quasi-experimentation has been a tool embraced by positivists favouring quantitative methods, whereas interpretivists have preferred qualitative methods such as narrative inquiry and case studies. However, recent developments in both quasi-experimentation and case study research suggest that the potential exists for a synthesis of these two methods (Grant & Wall, 2009). Although many case studies are post hoc explorations of an interesting development or phenomenon, there is a suggestion that case studies can qualify as quasi-experiments if they meet certain criteria (Campbell & Stanley as cited in Grant & Wall, 2009).