How Mixed Methods Can Improve the Effectiveness of Research

Discussion Thread: Mixed Methods Writing Exercise and Peer Feedback

Report the research questions and hypotheses for both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Today, more than 104 million Americans have contracted the Covid-19 virus, mainly during the most virulent part of the global pandemic (Covid Data Tracker, 2023). Although the pandemic is officially over, about one in four Americans, or approximately 26 million people, who contracted Covid-19 still suffer from what has been termed “long Covid-19.” Because more research is still needed to identify the cause of long Covid-19 and how its symptoms can be treated effectively, it is important to learn as much about the condition as possible. To this end, a qualitative and quantitative research question that can guide such a study include the following:

Qualitative: How do people with long Covid-19 perceive their quality of life? It is hypothesized the people with long Covid-19 perceive their quality life as severely diminished compared to their condition prior to contract the disease.

Quantitative: What is the impact of long Covid-19 on their daily activities and emotional well-being? It is hypothesized that the impact of long Covid-19 will have a measurable impact on sufferers’ daily activities and emotional well-being.

Describe the data collection procedures for both qualitative and quantitative methods.

To develop timely and informed answers to the above-stated research questions, qualitative methods such as semi-structured face-to-face or telephonic interviews and a case study. The data that are needed for the quantitative research question will be collected using a custom questionnaire with a series of Likert-scaled questions ranged 1 (highly agree) to 5 (highly disagree). The custom survey will be reviewed by several classmates to ensure its face validity. The quantitative data collection will also use instruments with demonstrated reliability such as the Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire which provides a self-report of a Covid-19 sufferer’s functional abilities in their home.

Describe the data analysis procedures for both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Qualitative: The qualitative data that results from the telephonic or face-to-face interviews will be synthesized with the quantitative data by identified main themes and comparing responses in a matrix format.

Quantitative: The quantitative data that emerges from the administration of the custom survey and the Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire will be analyzed using an Excel spreadsheet and the results that are generated will be presented in tabular and graphic form to facilitate interpretation.

Describe how the strands will be connected.