How can researchers strike a balance between maintaining the integrity of qualitative and quantitative data while still effectively integrating them to provide a more holistic understanding of the research topic?

Researchers can strike a balance by clearly defining the research question and objectives to determine which data is most relevant. They can use mixed methods approaches to collect both qualitative and quantitative data, ensuring that each method complements the other. Researchers should also consider triangulation, comparing and contrasting the findings from different data sources to validate and enrich their analysis. Finally, it is important to transparently report the process of data integration to maintain the integrity of the research findings.