Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

Mixed-Method Evaluation Techniques Were I to employ a mixed methods approach to address counterterrorism in Africa, I would integrate both qualitative and quantitative methods in my design. Furthermore, I would do so in a way in which the strengths of one of these methods would certainly augment the other. Specifically, I would design the study so that there was a quantitative analysis of the number of threats that this continent faced regarding terrorism and counterterrorism. Additionally, I would deploy a statistical analysis to provide additional quantitative data.

I would buttress these results with a qualitative study that yielded additional knowledge into the nature of those threats. This would involve in-depth details of the means of carrying about these threats, and how they could be counteracted. As per the guidelines issued in the USAID (2013), I would formulate my study along the lines of beginning with the quantitative analysis. This analysis would determine the exact number of counterterrorism threats that are currently affecting Africa. Additionally, it would determine the most efficacious of these attacks and, therefore, the most dangerous.

Statistical variables that would affect this part of the study include number of people potentially harmed and monetary damages incurred by them. I would supplement these data with that from a qualitative study that can provide ancillary data into the nature of these attacks. These would be based on interviews with subject matter experts who could elucidate other salient determinants of them that are not readily identifiable with quantitative data. 4. The qualitative method I would use is a semi-structured interview format. There would be both closed and open ended questions.

Moreover, these inquiries would directly correlate to the data gained from the quantitative aspect of this study. Some of the closed ended questions would function as a means of corroborating the insight gleaned from the quantitative methods. The open ended questions, on the other hand, would provide the means for these subject matter experts to explain the various counterterrorism measures to provide additional expertise on this subject.

The principal reasoning behind having the qualitative study inform the results of the quantitative one is that the former gives key informants to utilize their experience and knowledge on the subject. Consequently, the research as a whole benefits from this synthesized approach. Also, it helps for the qualitative study to serve as a means of checking the quantitative one, which is desirable in such an endeavor. 5.

My qualitative analysis method will supplement the quantitative one by serving as a means of explicating some of the data ascertained via the latter method. Furthermore, it may also serve as a way to correct some of the data, or perhaps even to explain some of the potential bias that could have swayed the results.

One would expect the informants solicited for this purpose to have participated in research studies in the past, as well as to be familiar with the results and current issues surrounding aspects of terrorism and counterterrorism. As such, they should be able to add a considerable amount of insight into the presence of these.