Week 9 - Mixed methods

Question 1

describe what a mixed-methods approach involves

Answer 1

Using qualitative data (stories of people) and quantitative data (scientific information) to research a topic.

Question 2

identify the basic mixed-methods research designs

Answer 2

Convergent design- Simultaneous Quan+Qual data collection + analysis + results/findings and interpret all together

Explanatory sequential design- Quan data collection analysis and results THEN Qual data collection, analysis and results THEN interpretation

Exploratory sequential design- Qual data collection analysis and results THEN Quan data collection, analysis and results THEN interpretation

Question 3

explain the major types of validity in mixed-methods research.

Answer 3

Inside-outside validity - researcher provides both insider (emic) and objective outsider (etic) perspectives

Weakness minimisation validity - researcher compensates for the weakness of one approach through the use of an additional approach

Sequential validity - making sure that the ordering of quantitative and qualitative components in a sequential design does not bias the results

Sample integration validity - researchers must not treat the quantitative and qualitative samples as equal, but draw appropriate conc. from each.

Multiple validities - making sure the mixed methods study meets quan, qual and mixed methods validity types.