ABSTRACT
A general introduction to low-inference and high-inference research, including reasons why they are used in the learning sciences and their advantages and disadvantages. The argument is based on the proposal of Kadriye Ercikan and Wolff-Michael Roth to consider research approaches based on the level of inference they involve rather than epistemological debates about the merit of quantitative versus qualitative research. Following this general discussion, case study research and ethnography are presented, with examples from the literature.
