Chapter 11

Question 1

Mixed-Methods Designs

Helpful when…….

Answer 1

Helpful when trying to understand:
Process and Product
Outcomes and Explanations

Question 2

Mixed-Methods Designs

Useful when…….

Answer 2

Useful when:
Quantitative methods produces findings, but qualitative methods are necessary to understand the findings
Qualitative methods identify interesting variables, but quantitative methods are necessary to show how the variables relate to each other

Question 3

Advantages of mixed-methods designs

Answer 3

Advantages
Provides more comprehensive data

Includes multiple approaches to compensate for disadvantages with using a single method

Allows investigation of different types of questions in a single study

Allows examination of complex research questions
Includes triangulation to enhance credibility of the findings

Question 4

Disadvantages of mixed-method designs

Answer 4

Disadvantages
Researcher needs an ability to conduct and interpret results from both quantitative and qualitative designs
May require more extensive data collection
May require more time and resources
Difficult to combine approaches when writing reports and forming conclusions

Question 5

Types of Mixed-method Designs

Answer 5

Explanatory Design
Exploratory Design
Convergent or Triangulation Design

Question 6

Explanatory Design

Answer 6

Quantitative methods provide results, which are then probed with qualitative methods to understand why the quantitative results occurred

Question 7

Exploratory Design

Answer 7

Qualitative methods provide initial identification of important variables in an area. These variables are then further explored quantitatively, such as by creating a measurement scale in a new area, or confirming the qualitative findings using quantitative methods

Question 8

Convergent or Triangulation Design

Answer 8

Quantitative and qualitative methods are conducted at the same time to allow triangulation of findings from both sets of methods. Failure to find convergence needs to be explained, if it occurs

Question 9

For the quantitative part of a mixed-methods study: _____________ sampling is used.

Answer 9

Probability or Non-Probability sampling

Question 10

For the qualitative part of a mixed-methods study: __________ sampling is used.

Answer 10

Purposeful sampling

Question 11

Samples in mixed-methods studies may be connected:

Answer 11

A subset of a probability sample that responded to a survey may be interviewed in depth

Question 12

Samples in mixed-methods studies may also be independent:

Answer 12

A survey may be sent to a random sample of respondents, and a second, different group of individuals from the same population may be the focus of observation and interviews

Question 13

Sequential Explanatory Design

Answer 13

Two phases are present, a quantitative followed by a qualitative, with the emphasis being on the quantitative phase
QUAN -> qual

Question 14

The purpose of a sequential explanatory design is _________________.

Answer 14

is to elucidate, elaborate on, or explain the quantitative findings

Question 15

Concurrent Convergent Design

Answer 15

Simultaneous or close proximity collection of both quantitative and qualitative data

Emphasis is usually on both methods equally
QUAL -> QUAN (if qualitative method precedes quantitative method)

QUAN -> QUAL (if quantitative method precedes qualitative method)

QUAL + QUAN (if both methods occur simultaneously)

Results should provide triangulation of results, so that the reader receives a fuller picture than either method could produce on its own

Question 16

Rationale

Answer 16

Identify and explain your reasons for mixing quantitative and qualitative methods

Question 17

Design Considerations

Answer 17

Rationale
Priority/Weighting
Sequence/Timing
Data Mixing

Question 18

Priority/Weighting

Answer 18

Identify the priority that will be given to each of the methods
Quantitative and Qualitative data will be given equal weighting
Qualitative data will be weighted more heavily than Quantitative data
Quantitative data will be weighted more heavily than Qualitative data

Question 19

Sequence/Timing

Answer 19

Concurrent studies involve simultaneous collection of quantitative and qualitative data

Sequential studies involve one method first, followed by the other method

Question 20

Data Mixing

Answer 20

The researcher may merge the two types of data into a single dataset, usually during the interpretation phase (discussion). In this case, quantitative and qualitative data are reported separately in the results.

The researcher may convert one type of data into the other type: either quantizing qualitative data or qualitizing quantitative data.

The researcher may connect the data, so that one type of data informs the data collection of the other type of data.

Question 21

Steps in Conducting a Mixed-Methods Study

Answer 21

Determine the feasibility of conducting a mixed-methods study
Identify the rationale
Determine the design, types of data, and strategy for how you will collect data
Establish specific quantitative and qualitative research questions
Collect the data
Analyze the data
Write the report

Question 22

Evaluating Mixed-Methods Studies

Merten’s 8 questions

Answer 22

What are the multiple purposes and questions that justify the use of a mixed-methods design?

Has the researcher matched the purposes and questions to appropriate methods?

To what extent has the researcher adhered to the criteria that define quality for the quantitative portion of the study?

To what extent has the researcher adhered to the criteria that define quality for the qualitative portion of the study?
How has the researcher addressed the tension between potentially conflicting demands of paradigms in the design and implementation of the study?

Has the researcher appropriately acknowledged the limitations associated with data that were collected to supplement the main data collection of the study?

How has the researcher integrated the results from the mixed-methods?

If necessary, how has the researcher explained conflicting findings that resulted from different methods?

What evidence is there that the researcher developed the design to be responsive to the practical and cultural needs of specific subgroups on the basis of such dimensions as disability, culture, language, reading levels, gender, class, and race or ethnicity?