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Updated: Feb 10, 2026

A Hybrid DNA Extraction Method for the Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Bacterial Communities from Poultry Production Samples
Published on: December 10, 2014
Qualitative research is a fundamental scientific process
Joanna E M Sale1, Stephen Thielke2
1Musculoskeletal Health and Outcomes Research, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, Health Sciences Building, 155 College Street, Suite 425, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M6, Canada.
Abstract:
By framing the investigation of scientific inquiry around Plato's "arch of knowledge", we argue that qualitative inquiry is essential to the scientific process. We propose that because qualitative research applies a systematic and self-critical approach to induction and deduction, it should be considered a fundamental scientific enterprise.
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