Chapter 10 Flashcards - Mixed Methods Research Design
Sequential mixed methods designs require two distinct phases
- Data collected in the first phase in analyzed
- Results are used to inform second phase
What guides the data collection sequence in sequential designs?
RQ and Purpose tells you whether quantitative or qualitative is implemented first
What is explanatory sequential design?
If sequential is gathering data in the first phase and analyzing it to then use that to inform second phase then…
Quantitative data collected in first phase and qualitative data collected in second phase
Purpose of explanatory sequential design?
Interpret the initial QN data using the QL data
- Analyzing the data for QN allows the researcher to think of how to better generate data for QL phase
Example of explanatory sequential design?
E.g. collecting QN numerical data in the first phase, analyzing the quantitative
Following up with qualitative data generation (one-on-one interviews)
Strengths of explanatory sequential design
Appeals more to QN researchers because more tailored towards them
* Allows emergence - since first phase informs the 2nd phase
Limitations of explanatory sequential design?
- Time consuming - doing 2 phases separately at two different times
- Ethics approval is challenging to get permission for both phases
What is the exploratory sequential phase
Starts with QL data and analysis, then uses that to inform the QN phase
Purpose of exploratory sequential phase?
Use the QN phase to build on the results of the initial phase (QL)
- Also measurement development is a purpose of exploratory sequential design
How is the instrument made in the exploratory sequential design
- Strong instruments (surveys, questionnaires) made with specific sample of populations (in the initial QL phase)
- Strong instruments then used with larger sample (QN phase)
In exploratory sequential designs, are the same participants used for both phases?
Uses different participants from the same population for the QN and QL phase. Hardly see one participant in both the QN and QL phase
Strengths of exploratory
Straightforward and easy to implement
* End up with product, an instrument (survery, questionnaire)
Limitations of exploratory
- Time consuming doing two phases separately
- Ethics approval
Benefits of Mixed Methods Research
- Neutralizing weakness of both methods if done in isolation
- Triangulation - multiple data sources used for validity
- Instrument developing and testing - getting something like a survey to use in the field
- Assisting sampling - QN methods employed, assist with purposeful sampling in QL phase
- Enhancing generalization
Challenges of Mixed Methods: Blending philosophical worldviews
- Blending philosophical views - some researchers may have bias towards one approach but must encourage them to mesh or link data from diff. approaches
Challenges of Mixed Methods: Time, Effort, Resources
Generating a RQ => Planning the most appropriate research design => obtaining ethics approval + other required approvals => requiring participants, etc.
- All this takes a lot of time
- Mixed methods requires double the amount of time
Challenges of Mixed Methods: Sampling Decisions
- Should not make unnecessary data collection as it can be unethical to participants because putting burden on them
- Sampling strategies need to be appropriate, meaningful, and ethical
Challenges of Mixed Methods: Analysis Design
Integrating findings is challenging if there are divergent conclusions
Positive reporting bias: selective reveal or suppression of info
Dismissing conflicting findings: May reveal holistic and complex nature of findings
What did the in text example illustrate about analysis decision
QN data said that there was no relationship between women’s physical activity & psychological well being
QL data contradicted saying being physically active contributed to women’s well-being
Challenges of Mixed Methods: Publication
Often publish in journals but they have page/word limits
* Journals are not conducive to a mixed methods research study
Challenges of Mixed Methods: Evaluation
What criteria is appropriate for judging a mixed methods study?
- Separating evaluation where it looks at evaluating criteria for qualitative and then evaluating criteria for quantitative
- This can be done if each component is discrete
