The new paradigm dialogs and qualitative inquiry

This paper re‐engages the paradigm wars of the 1980s, discussing their relevance in the current historical moment. It extends Egon Guba’s call for dialogue across paradigm communities. Ten theses and three agenda items are advanced. Let us engage in the paradigm wars. Let us defend ourselves against those who would impose their modern notions of science on us by exposing the flaws in what they call scientifically based research (SBR). Let us mount a strong offense by generating qualitative studies that are so powerful they cannot be dismissed. (Hatch 2006 Hatch, A. 2006. Qualitative studies in the era of scientifically‐based research: Musings of a former QSE editor. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 19(4): 403–9. [Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar], 407) Society in general is unimpressed with the contributions of social/behavioral inquiry; a pox will soon be called down on all our houses, if there is continuing conflict rather than cooperation among the paradigm adherents. It is to everyone’s benefit to cooperate. (Guba 1990b Guba, E. 1990b. “Carrying on the dialog”. In The paradigm dialog, Edited by: Guba, E. and Guba, E. 368–78. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. [Google Scholar], 374)