Chapter 10 Flashcard - Intro to Mixed Methods & Planning Mixed Methods Research & MM Research Design

Question 1

What is mixed methods research?

Answer 1

Combines quantitative and qualitative forms of research
* Systematic and purposeful integration of quantitative and qualitative approaches

Question 2

What is an authentic mixed methods design?

Answer 2

Overall strength of the study is greater than quantitative or qualitative research on its own

Quantitative and qualitative used in **tandem **(alongside)

Question 3

Benefits of mixed methods

Answer 3

• Offset vulnerabilities of using just one approach whether it be quan. or qual.
• Collecting data via diverse methods allows more complete picture

Question 4

When should Mixed methods be used?

Answer 4

• RQ will tell you what direction the research should go
• Design of research should correspond in a way that best answers the RQ

Question 5

How does “age related-patterns and experiences of chronic-cancer related pain in younger and older patients?” exemplify a mixed methods approach?

Answer 5

Quantitative: Measuring pain intensity, management, and functional ability to generate age-related trajectories of pain in younger & older adults

Qualitative: Understanding patient’s pain as through separate focus groups

• Both give mixed methods a way of answering the RQ in distinct ways

Question 6

How do researchers characteristics play a role in determining specific research design?

Answer 6

Philosophical worldviews, education, training can influence research design choice.

Philosophical worldviews dictates type of RQ that are even asked

Question 7

How does a postpositivist view dictate the type of RQ

Answer 7

Postpositivist looks at one objective truth which means the RQ leans more towards a quantitative design

Question 8

How does a constructivist view dictate the type of RQ?

Answer 8

Constructivist looks at subjective view (understanding multiple meanings and experiences) which is more towards qualitative

Question 9

How does a pragmatist view dictate the type of RQ?

Answer 9

Aligns with mixed methods because it does what is best for the RQ, so incorporates any design appropriate to address the RQ

Question 10

What is important when making a research team for mixed methods?

Answer 10

• Understanding that researchers will have certain set skills so some researchers are good with generating quantitative data while other researchers are good with generating qualitative data

Question 11

In mixed methods research there are many decisions to make for planning the approach including:

Answer 11

1. Implementation sequence
2. Priority
3. Sequence

Question 12

What happens in the implementation sequence?

Answer 12

Decides whether the 2 methods (qual. & quan.) will be conducted simultaneously (Concurrent) or if they will done one after the other (subsequentially)

Question 13

Implementation sequence of mixed methods means looking at timing. What is meant by timing?

Answer 13

Timing relates to when data is analyzed than when it’s collected

Question 14

What is key to the sequential research design?

Answer 14

Data collected during first phase informs data collection in 2nd phase

Question 15

What is priority in mixed methods?

Answer 15

Consider which (QN/QL) will have a greater priority
* Weight or emphasis QN/QL components

Question 16

Example of priority in mixed methods in the text?

Answer 16

Determining impact of a school-based, youth-led CV health intervention
Quantitative component: 2 questionnaires
Qual. component: 3 focus groups and journaling

Directly stated that QL was given more emphasis

Indicators reveal what is given more priority - # of participants, time spent in field, etc.

Question 17

What are some indicators for whether a mixed methods research is more QL or QN based?

Answer 17

• Title of research
• Explicit identification of guiding philosophical worldview
• Purpose statement; indicates the primary aim (which is more emphasized)
• More space devoted to one method
• More sophisticated and complex procedures used for one than the other

Question 18

Why would amount of resources relate to whether QL or QN is given more priority?

Answer 18

Limited amount of resources may result in having to prioritize one method over the other

Question 19

What is integration?

Answer 19

Third procedural consideration of how QN/QL methods will be mixed
* Mixing means explicit relating of the two data sets

Question 20

What would multiple methods mean?

Answer 20

There is no explicit mixing of the two sets of data; integration of QN & QL is not properly done

Question 21

When and how would you integrate QN and QL components into mixed methods?

Answer 21

Based on the RQ and initial research plan
* Researchers need to plan mixed methods with a clear idea of how different components will inform one another and how QN & QL components provide distinct answers to the RQ

Question 22

Why should integration never be an afterthought?

Answer 22

Because must think about how you want to integrate it before you start the research study

• Similar to armchair walkthrough where you reflect on all aspects of a research study before implementing it

Question 23

During what phase of the research does integration occur

Answer 23

During the analysis phase and this can be done via:
1. Side-by-Side comparison
2. Independent analysis
3. Data transformation

Question 24

What is side-by-side comparison?

Answer 24

Apart of how data can be integrated
* QN/QL data analyzed separately, and one set of findings presented, followed by the other

E.g. First present QL findings and then compare them with QN stats results

Question 25

What is independent analysis?

Answer 25

QN/QL data can be analyzed independently
* Researchers need findings from one phase to inform the next phase of the research

Question 26

Example used in text of how independent analysis was used

Answer 26

12 University football players had interviews conducted where they were asked about types and perceived consequences of exercise as punishment

• Qualitative data was first analyzed and this led to questionnaires being made (to be used in subsequent QN phase) that related to why exercise punishments were made

Question 27

What is data transformation?

Answer 27

Converting one form of data into the other form of data

Qualitize numerical data
Quantitize qualitative data

Qualitizing provides depth to statistics
Quantitizing allows for systemic analysis and comparison

Question 28

How would one qualitize quantitative data?

Answer 28

Qualitative codes or themes are often changed into quantitative variables, counted then included as numerical data

Question 29

In a Mixed methods research design concurrent designs establishes triangulation. How so?

Answer 29

More than one method of data generation (interviews, observations, survey data, etc.) can be employed to see if results converge & overall enhance rigour

Question 30

What is concurrent nested designs?

Answer 30

One of the methods (QN or QL) dominates while the other is nested

Question 31

Benefits of Mixed Methods research?

Answer 31

• Neutralizing weakness and maximizing strengths of quantitative and qualitative designs
• Triangulation
• Comprehensiveness
• Instrument development and testing

Question 32

Challenges of Mixed Methods Research

Answer 32

• Blending Philosophical worldviews
• Bringing together diverse researchers
• Timelines and resources
• Sampling and analysis decisions
• Publication & evaluation

Question 33

What sample size is used for mixed methods?

Answer 33

Sometimes data collected from same number of participants but three things can happen:

1. Larger quantitative size gets reduced
2. Smaller qualitative size increases
3. Large sample size in quantitative and small sample size in qualitative (Only including subset of participants from each)