 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
 Mixed Methods Research, Defined

 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.
 To utilize this design effectively, you must understand
both quantitative and qualitative research.
 Mixed methods research combines elements of quantitative research and qualitative research in
order to answer your research question.

 Mixed methods can help you gain a more complete picture than a standalone quantitative or
qualitative study, as it integrates benefits of both methods.

 Quantitative research is the process of collecting and analyzing numerical data.

 It can be used to find patterns and averages, make predictions, test causal relationships, and
generalize results to wider populations.

 is the opposite of qualitative research, which involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical
data (e.g. text, video, or audio).

 is widely used in the natural and social sciences: biology, chemistry, psychology, economics,
sociology, marketing, etc.
• Qualitative research involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data (e.g., text, video,
or audio) to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences.

• It can be used to gather in-depth insights into a problem or generate new ideas for research.

• is the opposite of quantitative research, which involves collecting and analyzing numerical
data for statistical analysis.

• Qualitative research is commonly used in the humanities and social sciences, in subjects such
as anthropology, sociology, education, health sciences, history, etc.

• Mixed methods research is often used in the behavioral, health, and social sciences,
especially in multidisciplinary settings and complex situational or societal research.
In general, mixed methods research represents research that involves collecting, analyzing,
and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data in a single study or in a series of
studies that investigate the same underlying phenomenon
 'Mixed methods' is a research approach whereby researchers collect and analyses both
quantitative and qualitative data within the same study.
 Keep in mind that mixed methods research doesn’t just mean collecting both types of data;
you need to carefully consider the relationship between the two and how you’ll integrate
them into coherent conclusions.
 Mixed methods can be very challenging to put into practice, so it’s a less common choice
than standalone qualitative or qualitative research.
•Mixed methods research question examples
 To what extent does the frequency of traffic accidents (quantitative) reflect cyclist
perceptions of road safety (qualitative) in Amsterdam?
 How do student perceptions of their school environment (qualitative) relate to differences
in test scores (quantitative)?
 How do interviews about job satisfaction at Company X (qualitative) help explain year-
over-year sales performance and other KPIs (quantitative)?
 How can voter and non-voter beliefs about democracy (qualitative) help explain election
turnout patterns (quantitative) in Town X?
 How do average hospital salary measurements over time (quantitative) help to explain
nurse testimonials about job satisfaction (qualitative)?
Steps for Conducting a Mixed Methods Study

 Determine if a mixed methods study is feasible.

 Identify a rationale for a mixed methods study
 Identify the data collection strategy and type of design
 Develop quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods questions
 Collect quantitative and qualitative data
 Collect quantitative and qualitative data
 Write the report as a one- or two-phase study
 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.
 To incorporate a qualitative component into an
otherwise quantitative study
 To build from one phase of a study to another
 Explore qualitatively then develop an instrument
 Follow-up a quantitative study qualitatively to obtain
more detailed information
 When to use mixed methods research
 There are several common reasons for using mixed methods research:
 Generalizability: Qualitative research usually has a smaller sample size, and thus is not generalizable.
 In mixed methods research, this comparative weakness is mitigated by the comparative strength of “large

N,” externally valid quantitative research.

 Contextualization: Mixing methods allows you to put findings in context and add richer detail to your

conclusions.
 Using qualitative data to illustrate quantitative findings can help “put meat on the bones” of your analysis.
 Credibility: Using different methods to collect data on the same subject can make your results more

credible.
 If the qualitative and quantitative data converge, this strengthens the validity of your conclusions.

 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
 Key Characteristics of Mixed Methods Designs :

 Rationale
 Test findings of first phase
 Explain results of first phase in more detail
 Provide a more complete understanding than either
quantitative or qualitative alone
 Collecting both quantitative and qualitative data
 Numeric data
 Text data
 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
There are different types of mixed methods research designs.

 The differences between them relate to the aim of the research, the timing of the
data collection, and the importance given to each data type.

 As you design your mixed methods study, also keep in mind:

 Your research approach (inductive vs deductive)

 Your research questions

 What kind of data is already available for you to use

 What kind of data you’re able to collect yourself.

 Here are a few of the most common mixed methods designs.

1 Convergent parallel

 In a convergent parallel design, you collect quantitative and qualitative data at the same time and analyze
them separately.

 After both analyses are complete, compare your results to draw overall conclusions.

 When you finish your data collection and analysis, you then compare results and tie your findings together.

2 Embedded

 In an embedded design, you collect and analyze both types of data at the same time, but within a larger
quantitative or qualitative design.

 One type of data is secondary to the other.

 This is a good approach to take if you have limited time or resources. You can use an embedded design to
 3 Explanatory sequential
 In an explanatory sequential design, your quantitative data collection and analysis occurs
first, followed by qualitative data collection and analysis.
 You should use this design if you think your qualitative data will explain and contextualize
your quantitative findings
4 Exploratory sequential
 In an exploratory sequential design, qualitative data collection and analysis occurs first,
followed by quantitative data collection and analysis.
 You can use this design to first explore initial questions and develop hypotheses. Then you
can use the quantitative data to test or confirm your qualitative findings
 Advantages of mixed methods research
 “Best of both worlds” analysis

 Combining the two types of data means you benefit from both the detailed, contextualized insights of

qualitative data and the generalizable, externally valid insights of quantitative data.

 The strengths of one type of data often mitigate the weaknesses of the other.

 Method flexibility

 Mixed methods are less tied to disciplines and established research paradigms.

 They offer more flexibility in designing your research, allowing you to combine aspects of different types

of studies to distill the most informative results.

 It can also combine theory generation and hypothesis testing within a single study, which is unusual for
 Disadvantages of mixed methods research

 Workload
 MMR is very labor-intensive.
 Collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing two types of data into one research product takes a lot of
time and effort, and often involves interdisciplinary teams of researchers rather than individuals.
 For this reason, mixed methods research has the potential to cost much more than standalone studies.
 Differing or conflicting results
 If your analysis yields conflicting results, it can be very challenging to know how to interpret them
in a mixed methods study.
 If the quantitative and qualitative results do not agree or you are concerned you may have
confounding variables, it can be unclear how to proceed.
 Mixed methods formats

 Chapter 1: Introduction

  Statement of the Problem

 The topic.

 The research problem.

 Background and justification (philosophical view points).

 Deficiencies in the evidence.

 Audience.

 Definition of Terms
 Chapter 2: Literature Review

 Lit Review should include relevant headings and subheadings. Following the lit review the purpose
statement then research questions should be
presented.
 Purpose Statement -(a) the overall content aim, (b) the type of
mixed method design, (c) the forms of data collection that will be
used (very general), (d) the data collection site(s), and (e) the
reason for collecting both forms of data (see Creswell, 2007).
Research Questions
 Quantitative
 Qualitative
 Mixed Methods
Chapter 3: Methodology
 Participants

 Quantitative.

 Qualitative.

 Instruments

 Procedures

 Design

 Quantitative data.

 Qualitative data.

 Data analysis.

 Limitations