At IOB, we view development not merely as a technical challenge, but as a socially negotiated process—one that demands engagement with a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and forms of knowledge. This understanding shapes our commitment to multidisciplinary, mixed methods research.
Mixed methods as dialogue across perspectives
Our approach is inspired by Jennifer C. Greene’s conception of mixed methods research as a deliberate space for dialogue among multiple “mental models.” As she describes:
"Mixed methods social inquiry involves a plurality of philosophical paradigms, theoretical assumptions, methodological traditions, data gathering and analysis techniques, and personalized understandings and value commitments, because these are the stuff of mental models.”—Jennifer C. Greene
In this view, mixed methods research is not simply about combining quantitative and qualitative tools. It is about creating room for respectful exchange across disciplines, worldviews, and knowledge systems. It seeks not uniformity but mutual learning and collective meaning-making.
Why plurality matters in development research
This pluralistic approach aligns with our recognition that development challenges are inherently complex and situated in diverse cultural, political, and social contexts. No single discipline, method, or worldview can fully capture this complexity. Instead, effective inquiry requires:
Engagement across academic disciplines (e.g., economics, sociology, political science, anthropology)
A mix of methods tailored to context (qualitative, quantitative, participatory, ethnographic, etc.)
Inclusion of stakeholder knowledge and lived experience as valid and valuable
In practice, this means that research becomes a collaborative process, where different actors—scholars, policymakers, community members—contribute insights that enrich both the understanding of the issue and the design of more effective, inclusive responses.
A shared wisdom
Our commitment to multidisciplinarity is grounded in the belief that knowledge is collectively constructed and contextually informed. As captured in a Ghanaian (Ewe) proverb:
“Wisdom is like a baobab tree: no one individual can embrace it.”
This wisdom reflects the ethos of our research: development cannot be understood—or shaped—through a single lens. Only by bringing diverse perspectives into meaningful conversation can we approach the complexity of development in ways that are both rigorous and relevant.