Differences in stress and coping findings: a reflection of social realities or methodologies?

A comparison of findings in a qualitative study (N = 22) and a quantitative study (N = 130) of work-related stress suggested that the divergence may be due to differences in methodology rather than in social realities. Important differences were noted in two areas: major sources of stress and coping patterns which reduce stress. The quantitative study identified discrete events as sources of stress; the qualitative study described processes over time. Linkages between stress and coping evident in the qualitative study were not identifiable in the quantitative study. The differences in findings reflect the strengths of the respective methodologies.