Mixed MethodologyResearch
Dr. Andy Van NeutegemKIN 515 GAP ANALYSIS
Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
Humans are both rational calculating beings…and they also operate on a deeper level of feelings, drivers and irrationality.
H. Mariampolski
Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
An old debate between quantitative and qualitative methods can be traced back to the two opposed Greek philosophical visions of human science that emphasize number (Pythagoras) and meaning (Socrates) as the essence of mind.
Qualitative research has been described as; noble, good and empowering by some researchers.
By others it is; story telling, touchy – feely, biased, subjective, lacking reliability validity and generalizabilty.
Definition of mixed methods (Johnson 2007, Freshwater 2007)
A single project incorporates both qualitative and quantitative methods of inquiry (and produces a synthesis of qualitative and quantitative findings).
Note: mixed methods ≠ multi methods
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Developments (last 20 years) Increasing interest in and advocacy for
mixed methods Evolving understanding of what is mixed
methods research Developing designs and innovative
techniques “The emergence of mixed methods as a third
methodological movement in the social and behavioral sciences began during the 1980’s.” (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2003: 697)
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14+ books on mixed methods research have been written since 1988
Books onMixed MethodsResearch
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Editors: John W. Creswell and Abbas TashakkoriManaging Editor: Vicki L.Plano Clark
JournalsDevoted toMixed Methods:FieldworkQuality andQuantityMixed MethodApproaches
A NewJournal
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Mixed methods is not that different from other methods
Collecting data
Analyzing and interpreting data
Identifying a purpose and stating questions
Reporting and evaluating the study
Identifying a research problem
Reviewing the literature
Data collection & analysis: illustration
Qualitative collection:interviews
focus groupsobservations
textual data
Quantitative collection:routine datasurveysobservations numeric data
Qualitative analysis........................Quantitative analysis
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Mixed Methods within Designs
Ethnography Case Study Research Narrative research Experimental research
Qual ----- Quan Qual----- Quan Qual-----Quan Qual---- Quan
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What is this Method Called?
Multi-method Triangulation Integrated Combined Quantitative and qualitative methods Multi-methodology Mixed methodology Mixed-method Mixed research Mixed methods
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Mixing – Why?
1. Validity – to corroborate quan and qual data2. Offset – offset weaknesses of quan and qual and draw on
strengths3. Completeness – more comprehensive account that qual
or quan alone4. Process – quan provides outcomes; qual, the processes5. Explanation – qual can explain quan results or vice-versa6. Unexpected results – surprising results from one, other
explains7. Instrument development – qual employed to design
instrument8. Credibility – both approaches enhance integrity of
findings9. Context – qual provides context; quan provides general.10. Utility – more useful to practitioners
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Smith & Heshusius, (1986)
“Incompatibility thesis”
“The contention of thispaper is that the claim ofcompatibility, let alone one of synthesis, cannot be sustained.” (p. 4)
Purist Stance
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Mixing (How)
Results
Connect data:
Results
Converge data:
Embed the data:
Quan data
Qual data
Qual Quan
Qual Quan
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Preliminary Design Considerations (Morse, 1991)
Approach Type Purpose Limitations Resolutions
QUAL + quan Simultaneous Enrich description of sample
Qualitative sample
Utilize normative data for comparison of results
QUAL Sequential Test emerging H, determine distribution of phenomenon in population
Qualitative sample
Draw adequate random sample from same population
QUAN + qual Simultaneous To describe part of phenomena that cannot be quantified
Quantitative sample
Select appropriate theoretical sample from random sample
QUAN Sequential To examine unexpected results
Quantitative sample
Select appropriate theoretical sample from random sample
quan
qual
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QUANData & Results
QUANData & Results
InterpretationInterpretation
QUALData & Results
QUALData & Results
QUANPre-test Data & Results
QUANPre-test Data & Results
QUANPost-test Data & Results
QUANPost-test Data & Results
Intervention
qualProcess
qualProcess
InterpretationInterpretation
Triangulation Design
Embedded Design
Simultaneous Mixed Methods Designs
Parsimonious Designs (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2007)
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Sequential Designs Mixed Methods Designs
QUANData & Results
QUANData & Results Interpretation
Interpretation
qualData & Results
qualData & Results
Following up
Explanatory Design
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Sequential Designs Mixed
Methods Designs
QUALData & Results
QUALData & Results
quanData & Results
quanData & Results
InterpretationInterpretation
Building to
Exploratory Design
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Sequential Designs Mixed
Methods Designs
Before-intervention
qual
Before-intervention
qual
QUANIntervention
Trial
QUANIntervention
TrialAfter-
intervention qual
After-
intervention qual InterpretationInterpretation
Sequential Embedded Design
A little Summary
Qualitative questions and aims: what, how explore, impinge, underlie
Quantitative questions and aims: how many, how strong measure, predict, correlate
Both qualitative and quantitative aims: identify, relate to, relationships, links
Activity / Exercise
Use the provided journal article and create a mind-map of the various details/aspects of the mixed method methodology
Use key words to capture the methodology used!
Investigate key words that you do not understand!
What is the technique/design used by the researcher to answer the research question? Evaluate its appropriateness.
Activity / Exercise
Activity / Exercise
Use the provided journal article and create a mind-map of the various details/aspects of the mixed method methodology
Use key words to capture the methodology used!
Investigate key words that you do not understand!
What is the technique/design used by the researcher to answer the research question? Evaluate its appropriateness.
It is better to view quantitative and qualitative researches not as dichotomous but as various tools.
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