2. Mixed Methods Research copy.docx

CRITICAL READING: CORNELL NOTES Mixed Methods Research Name: Date: 18 August 2023 Section: Lecture 2 Period: Questions/Main Ideas/Vocabulary Notes/Answers/Definitions/Examples/Sentences What is Mixed Methods Research? Mixed methods research is the class of research where the research...

CRITICAL READING: CORNELL NOTES Mixed Methods Research Name: Date: 18 August 2023 Section: Lecture 2 Period: Questions/Main Ideas/Vocabulary Notes/Answers/Definitions/Examples/Sentences What is Mixed Methods Research? Mixed methods research is the class of research where the researcher mixes or combines quantitative and qualitative techniques into a single study. Two Key Facets The breadth of information: Refers to exploring a range of different aspects of the phenomenon by collecting a broad range of data including both qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative: interviews, focus groups, field notes, document review, etc. Corroboration of data: Refers to the idea that different sources of data work to corroborate each other, meaning that the findings are reinforced or backed up by the other data in the same study. Provides researchers with a deeper understanding of a phenomenon and helps to validate the findings. This way, they help to ensure methodological rigour and provide rich, meaningful and useful answers to research questions. Quantitative: questionnaires or surveys, scores on personality or mental health scales. Triangulation Data triangulation: The use of a variety of data sources. Investigator triangulation: The use of several different researchers, perhaps with different academic background or experience. Theory triangulation: The use of multiple perspectives and theories to interpret results. Methodological triangulation: The use of multiple methods to study a research problem. Research as a Continuum What most differentiates the mixed methods research process from the mono-method research processes is the fact that the former compels researchers not only to make decisions about the individual quantitative and qualitative components, but also to make decisions about how these components relate to each other. Typology of Mixed Methods Research Design Three Dimensions of Mixed Methods Design Mixing dimension Time dimension Emphasis dimension Mixing Dimension Can be fully or partial. Fully mixed methods designs have the highest degree of mixing of both methods and paradigms. It uses both quantitative and qualitative methods within or across the following: The research objective The type of data and operations The type of analysis The type of inference Partial mixed methods designs don’t require the mixing of quantitative and qualitative approaches across these stages. Instead, the quantitative and qualitative elements are conducted either concurrently or sequentially in their entirety before being mixed at the data interpretation stage. Time Dimension Can be concurrent or sequential. Concurrent is when quantitative and qualitative data are collected at the same time. Sequential is when quantitative and qualitative data are collected at different times. Emphasis Dimension Can be equal or dominant. Equal status is where both quantitative and qualitative approaches have equal status (the same weighting is given to each). Dominant status is where wither the quantitative or qualitative approach is dominant. Three Stages with 12 Distinct Steps Research formulation stage. Research planning stage. Research implementation stage. Stage 1 – Research Formulation Determining the goal of the study. Formulating the research objective(s). Determining the research/mixing rationale(s). Determining the research/mixing purpose(s). Determining the research question(s). Stage 2 – Research Planning Selecting the sampling design. Selecting the mixed methods research design. Stage 3 – Research Implementation Collecting the data set. Analysing the data set. Validating/legitimating the data set and data interpretations. Interpreting the data. Writing the final report.