Mixed Methods Research Design
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- Jun 21, 2021
- 6 min read
Member of the group:
Dwi Gusti Habibi D (20181111037)
Puput Silviana (20181111039)
Desy Rahmawati (20181111042)
What is Mixed Methods Research?
In mixed method research, the researcher combine the quantitative and qualitative methods, approaches, or concepts in a single research study or in a set of related studies. “Mixed methods research design is a procedure for collecting, analyzing, and ‘mixing’ both quantitative and qualitative methods in a single study or a series of studies to understand a research problem” (Cresswell & Plano, 2011). In educational research the use of multiple perspectives, theories, and research methods is a strength. The mixed approach also helps improve research because the different research approaches provide different sorts of knowledge and different strengths or weaknesses. Mixed research involves mixing and combining qualitative and quantitative research in single research studies.
By combining two or more research methods with different strengths and weaknesses in a research study, it less likely that will miss something important or make a mistake. Lincoln and Guba (1985) argue this idea using the metaphor of fish nets. Perhaps a fisherman has several fishing nets, each with one or more holes. To come up with one good net, the fisherman decides to overlap the different fishing nets, forming one overall net. All the nets have holes in them; however, when the nets are put together, there will probably no longer be a hole in the overall net.
The forms of research designs:
Check the following steps how to collect quantitative and qualitative research data:
Conduct Mixed Methods Research
In general, conducting a mixed methods study is when the researcher have both quantitative and qualitative data. Mixed methods research is suitable design to build on the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative data.
Conducting a mixed methods study can be when one type of research (qualitative or quantitative) is not enough to address the research problem or answer the research questions. Researchers can also use mixed methods when they want to provide an alternative perspective in a study. Such as when a policymaker wants both the “numbers” and the “stories” about an issue. Different sources of information provide both a condensed understanding of a problem as well as the detail. Besides that, the use of mixed methods research for studies in graduate programs in which qualitative research has to yet to be fully accepted and in which quantitative approaches are the norm.
What are the Types of Mixed Methods Designs?
Using these four questions can locate and identify most mixed methods designs commonly used in educational research:
What priority or weight does the researcher give to the quantitative and qualitative data collection? Priority or weight means that one form of data is given more attention or emphasis in the study; however, quantitative and qualitative data are sometimes treated equally.
What is the sequence of collecting the quantitative and qualitative data? Determine whether the qualitative data (or quantitative data) comes first and second in the data collection or whether they are collected concurrently.
How does the researcher actually analyze the data? Determine if the researchers combine the data in one analysis or keep the analyses separate.
Where in the study does the researcher “mix” the data? The two forms of data might be combined, linked, or mixed during data collection, between data collection and data analysis, during data analysis, or in the interpretation of a study.
Cresswell and Plano Clark (2011) stated that these are six mix methods designs, the first four as the basic and the last two as complex designs that are becoming increasingly popular.
The convergent parallel design
The explanatory sequential design
The exploratory sequential design
The embedded design
The transformative design
The multiphase design
Characteristics of Mixed Method Designs
Mixed methods designs can be distinguish from other types of designs in several ways. By reviewing or reading in mixed methods study you can find these:
Provide a rationale for the design
Readers and those who review mixed methods studies need to know why you are mixing methods. Reason for conducting a mixed methods study might be that you seek to explain in more detail through qualitative research the initial quantitative statistical results or one form of data plays a supporting role to the other database. Rationale often states early in a study such as in the introduction.
Include collecting quantitative and qualitative data
Researcher should clearly indicate that collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Methods of data collection are typically associated with either numbers or numeric data and words or text and image data.
Consider priority
Priority means that in a mixed methods design, researcher places more emphasis on one type of data than other types of data in the research and the written report. The emphasis may result from personal experience with data collection, the need to understand one form of data before proceeding to the next, or the audience reading the research.
Three options are available to the researcher for prioritizing data:
Quantitative and qualitative data are of equal weight.
Quantitative data is of greater weight than qualitative data.
Qualitative data is of greater weight than qualitative data
Consider sequence
Mostly mixed methods researchers advance the sequence of data collection using concurrent or sequential approaches or some combination. Several options exist for the sequencing of data collection:
Collect both quantitative and qualitative data at the same time
Collect quantitative data first, followed by qualitative data or vice versa.
Collect both quantitative and qualitative at the same time as well as in sequence.
Match the data analysis to a design
Several authors have begun the discussion about data analysis in mixed methods research (Bazeley, 2010). To examine options for data analysis, reflect back on the type of design and the options for analysis within each design.
Diagram the procedures
Mixed methods researchers often provide a visualization or diagram of their design depicting the procedures. It consists of labeling the quantitative and qualitative data, indicating the sequence of activities (using arrows or plus signs), and emphasizing the priority (using lowercase or uppercase letters). By including this visualization, the researcher helps readers identify the sequence of data collection, an important aid when collecting multiple forms of data.
Steps Conducting a Mixed Methods Study
These steps are not lockstep procedures: they provide a general guide to help you get started.
Step 1. Determine if a Mixed Methods Study is Feasible
The first step is to assess the feasibility of using mix method design. The researcher need skills to gather both quantitative and qualitative data, time to collect extensive information, and a working knowledge of the different types of designs.
Step 2. Identity a Rationale for Mixing Methods
Consider why you are collecting both quantitative and qualitative data. The rationale for the four designs should provide a good starting point.
Step 3. Identify a Data Collection Strategy
Identify the rationale for the study will lead to planning the procedures for collecting data. The researcher need to know:
The priority of quantitative and qualitative data.
The sequence of the data collection, if researcher do not plan to collect the data concurrently.
The specific forms of quantitative data (e.g., attendance record) and qualitative data (e.g., pictures) you will collect as data.
Step 4. Develop Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods Questions
Develop the research questions depend on the type of design, the researcher can identify the research questions prior to a study or they may emerge during the study.
Step 5. Collect Quantitative and Qualitative Data
Collecting data in a mixed methods study follows rigorous quantitative procedures and persuasive qualitative procedures. In mixed methods study, the sequence in which you collect the data will depend on the type of design. Most of all research designs, this phase of the research will be lengthy and requires good organization of the information. Statistical programs and texts analysis programs can provide useful system for storing, managing, and recording the data.
Step 6. Analyze Data Separately, Concurrently, or Both
The data analysis will relate to the specific type of mixed method design, the researcher can analyze quantitative data separately from qualitative data as in the explanatory and exploratory designs, or integrate the data analysis, as in the convergent design.
Step 7. Write the Report as a One- or Two-Phase Study or a Multiple-Phase Study
It is the final step to conduct mixed method research is to write a scholarly report of the project. Several variations are mention in the writing structure of mixed methods studies, as outlined here:
The report is written in two phases. Contain one section to specify the problem and the literature. The section of data collection, analysis, and interpretation, two phases-one quantitative and one qualitative are used for each section.
The report integrates the quantitative and qualitative phases of the study in each section. For example, the problem statement contains a need to explore (qualitative data) and to predict or explain outcomes (quantitative data).
References:
How to Construct a Mixed Methods Research Design., Judith Schoonenboom, R. Burke Johnson., Kolner Z Soz Sozpsychol. 2017; 69(Suppl 2): 107–131. Published online 2017 Jul 5. doi: 10.1007/s11577-017-0454-1
Johnson. R. B and Christensen. L, 2014, 5th Edition Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches, USA, SAGE Publications, Inc.
John W. Creswell, 4th Edition Educational Research: Planning, Conducting and Evaluating, Quantitative and Qualitative Research, Boston, Pearson Education, Inc.
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very good presentation and summary of mixed method, although some part of the slide is little bit confusing explaining about the use of data triangulation applied in mixed method. over all it is good
How can the option state qual and quant are equal weigh if we have to sequence them on priority? In my humble opinion it should be emphasized on of them right?
Cmiiw