Mixed Methods, Study notes of Designs and Groups

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Overview

 Mixed Methods Research, Defined  Quantitative Research  Qualitative Research  When to use Mixed Methods Research  Types of Mixed Methods Research Designs  Key Characteristics  Steps in Conducting a Mixed Methods study  Evaluating a Mixed Methods study

Quantitative Research

 A type of educational research in which the research decides what to study; asks specific, narrow questions, collects quantifiable data from participants (a large number of participants); analyzes these numbers using statistics; and conducts the inquiry in an unbiased, objective manner.  Postpositivism – singular reality; objective; deductive

Quantitative Research (cont’d)

 Generally attempts to quantify variables of interest; questions must be measureable.  Example:  What is the relationship between graduate students’ level of interaction, measured by the number of ‘hits’ in the course, and students’ grades in an online research methods course?

Qualitative Research

 A type of educational research in which the researcher relies on the views of participants; asks broad, general questions; collects data consisting largely of words (or text) from participants; describes and analyzes these words for themes; and conducts the inquiry in a subjective, biased manner.

 Constructivism – multiple realities; biased; inductive

Qualitative Research (cont’d)

 “There are times we wish to know not how many or how well, but simply how” (Shulman, 1988, p. 7).  Example:  “What are the factors that influence a graduate students’ experience in an online research methods course?”

Steps for Conducting

a Mixed Methods Study

Determine if a mixed methods study is feasible

Develop quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods questions

Collect quantitative and qualitative data

Analyze data separately or concurrently

Write the report as a one- or two-phase study

Identify the data collection strategy and type of design

Identify a rationale for a mixed methods study (^) Step 2 Step 1

Step 4

Step 3

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Priority Sequence Visualization

When to Use Mixed Methods

Designs

 When both quantitative and qualitative data, together, provide a better understanding of your research problem than either type by itself.

 When one type of research (qualitative or quantitative) is not enough to address the research problem or answer the research questions.

 Pragmatism – practicality; multiple view points; biased and unbiased; subjective and objective

Creswell , J. (2008). (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research

Mixed Methods Research

Methodology

 Utilizes both quantitative and qualitative data collection methodologies.

 Examples

 Interviews and Questionnaires  Performance Tests and Observation  Questionnaires and follow up Focus groups  Document analysis, Performance Tests, Questionnaire, and Interviews

What Is Mixed Methods Research?

A mixed methods research design is a

procedure for collecting, analyzing, and

“mixing” both quantitative and

qualitative research and methods in a

single study to understand a research

problem.

Mixed Methods Legend

Notation Defined

QUAN Quantitatively driven study. QUAL Qualitatively driven study.

quan Quantitative data is secondary to qualitative data.

qual Qualitative data is secondary to quantitative data.

+ Indicates that quantitative and qualitative data arecollected concurrently****.

→ Indicates that quantitative and qualitative data are collected sequentially****.

Key Characteristics of Mixed Methods

Designs: Priority and Sequence

 Priority  Equal weight  QUAN carries more weight than qual  QUAL carries more weight than quan

 Sequence  Collect both quantitative and qualitative data at the same time  Collect quantitative data first, followed by qualitative data  Collect qualitative data first, followed by quantitative data

20

The Convergent Parallel Design

Compare or relate Interpretation

Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis

Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis