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Discussion: Designing Mixed Methods Research
Mixed methods research is more than simply taking a quantitative design and a qualitative design and putting them together. The methods should complement one another and be relevant to the subject that is being studied. For example, a researcher who wants to conduct exploratory research would benefit more from using a qualitative design than a mixed methods design, as the latter could potentially drain resources that could be better used conducting the exploratory part of the investigation. However, using the mixed methods approach is useful when both qualitative data and quantitative data can be easily combined to enhance a study (Johnson & Onwuegbuzie, 2004). For example, in a health care study, interviews could be conducted with patients about their care and a survey could also be given. The interviews would provide qualitative data and the surveys would provide quantitative data. Both would complement one another: the survey could obtain responses using a Likert scale of measurement which would allow a form of statistical analysis to be conducted. The interviews could help to provide even more context to the statistical analysis and deepen the interpretation of the data.
The types of research questions...
In research where the subject can be analyzed from both qualitative and quantitative approach, the mixed methods research design would be appropriate. Sometimes data is not available from a qualitative perspective or from a quantitative perspective. Sometimes researchers are only able to examine a subject and must base a study on this limitation, and so a qualitative approach would be best suited. Other times, researchers are able to interview, observe, immerse themselves in the world of the subject and obtain quantitative data that can be analyzed statistically. In such cases, it helps to have a team of researchers that can assist in the measurement of the data so that no one is overwhelmed.
One strength of mixed methods research is that it provides a more comprehensive perspective on the subject being studied. There is more data to be analyzed and a fuller picture can be developed. For professionals who prefer statistical analysis, the quantitative measures will be appealing. For those who prefer a deeper look into the subject, the qualitative measures will be useful. In…
Generally, research may be quantitative or qualitative. Nonetheless, the usage of the two methods at the same time is common -- the mixed methods approach. Indeed, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches overcomes the limitations inherent in each approach, resulting in a better understanding of the research problem (Creswell & Clark, 2011). This paper identifies the major components of mixed methods research design and the strengths and weaknesses of the
Mixed Methods Study The comparison of the administrative procedures of five traditional and five non-traditional colleges of Education in religious studies. All institutions have to be accredited via a national agency and be part of interactive online courses in conjunction with computer-based technologies. This study will compare the differing forms of administrative procedures and their impact and manifestation on training, instructional support, additional compensation, teaching loads and the beneficial and negative influences
The author used open and then axial coding so that a larger image of the environmental issues would emerge from the data. Secondly, Torres analyzed the quantitative data by developing a model that reconfigured Nora et al.'s previously used scales. The data was tested by using "latent variable structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess the data-model fit" (302) to examine the causal influences on why students stayed or did
Mixed Methods Study Design What's Wrong with Mixed Methodology Morris and Burkett (2011) witnessed the relatively recent emergence of what has been called "mixed methods" research. A study using a mixed methods design would meet both quantitative and qualitative evaluative criteria. From the author's perspective and that of others cited in their publication, quantitative and qualitative research designs are effectively mutually exclusive. The only concession that Morris and Burkett (2011) seemed to
Quantitative research uses survey, and questionnaires to collect data. Through quantitative analysis, a researcher is able to correlate mass data to the research findings. Despite the benefits identified in both quantitative and qualitative research, the paper identifies some shortcomings in both research methods. To address these shortcomings, the paper proposes mixed methods that involve combining both quantitative and qualitative research. References Bryman, A. (1984). The Debate about Quantitative and Qualitative Research:
Although more time consuming and costly, mixed-methods research can also be more fruitful than either qualitative or quantitative methods alone. Mixed methods combine qualitative and quantitative in ways that are suitable for answering a complex set of research questions. Because the researcher can use more than one research design in the same study, mixed methods can “answer a broader range of research questions,” (Center for Innovation for Research and Teaching,