6. Mixed methods Flashcards
What is mixed methods?
The use of qualitative and quantitative methods within a single overall study
What is the difference between quant and qual?
Quant
Scope
* Many istances/cases
* Represent populations
* Undeniability through numbers
Qual
Depth
* Few instances/cases
* Theoretically relevant instances/cases
* Undeniability through detail
Quantitative streghts
*Measuring variance and correlation
*The possibility of statistical generalization
*Objective methods of analysis
*Theory testing
*Allows prediction
*Quick data collection
*Higher credibility with people in power
Quantitative weaknesses
Limited ability to capture processes and change.
Difficulty in establishing linear causality
Lacking sensitivity to context
Researcher categories and theories may not reflect local understandings
Qualitative streghts
*Data (analysis) based on participants’ own categories of meaning
*Description and explanation of processes and change
*Theory building
*Sensitivity to context and rich detail
*Ability to integrate multiple perspectives
Qualitative weaknesses
*Inability to generalize to populations (other settings)
*Difficult to make predictions
*Limited ability to test theory
*(Overly) reliant on subjective judgments in analysis.
*Lower credibility with some people in power (administators)
Why use mixed methods?
*Richer insights through iterating between that which can be counted and that which cannot
*Social reality is multi-faceted and complex – methods need to be too!
*Increased validity - same findings with different methods (not all MM designs)
*Balance out weaknesses of the two methods
*Generate and validate theory in the same (overall) study
What are the five mixed method purposes?
- Triangulation
- Complementarity
- Development
- Initiation
- Expansion
Greene et al 1989
What is triangulation?
Simultaneous. Same phenomenon, convergence of results –validation
confirmation – promise of a confirmation design perhaps clearest when the alternate types pf data produce different results: what people say and what people do. If you get to the same findings you increase the validity of your findings
What is complementarity?
Simultaneous. Same phenomenon, but different facets of a phenomenon – enhancement of results
seeks elaboration, enhancement or clarification of results from one method with the results from another – to gain a richer and elaborated understanding. You study overlapping – different facts of a phenomenon – differs from triangulation – logic is not conversion, but complementarity –
What is development?
Sequential. Development purpose of e.g. RQ - process: one study feeds into the other
seeks to use the results from one method to develop or inform the other – sequential use – often seen – remember that studies may have different emphasis so a small qual can lie ahead of a bigger quant and vice versa
What is initiation?
Sequential. Use of discrepancies/contradictions to find shortcomings and start new research
seeks the discovery of a paradox and contradiction – recasting questions from one method with questions or results from the other
What is expansion?
Sequential? Extension of scope. Test/focus on processes (qual?) and outcomes (quant?)
seeks to extend breath and range of an iquiry by using different methods for differing inquiry purposes – increase the scope of the inquiry.
Name weaknesses and challenges for mixed method
Increased cost in terms of time and resources
Alignment and integration (qual and quant may drift)
How do you merge results?
Conceptual differences
How do you translate qualitative findings into items or scales?
Researcher as a ”Jack-of-all-trades and a master of none”?
Name quantitaive paradigm things
Positivist philosophy
Social science as physical science
Objective observer
Social science inquiries should be objective
Time and context free generalizations
Researchers should eliminate biases
Empirically justify stated hypotheses
Impersonal passive voice when writing
