WHAT IS QUALITATIVE RESEARCH? DAY EVENT 10 January 2012 NCRM - Quest WHAT IS MIXED METHODS RESEARCH? Rosalind Edwards Sociology and Social Policy

Mixed methods research is a methodology for conducting research that involves collecting, analyzing, and integrating (or mixing) quantitative and qualitative research (and data) in a single study or a longitudinal program of inquiry. The purpose of this form of research is that both qualitative and quantitative research, in combination, provide a better understanding of a research problem or issue than either research approach alone. (Creswell, 2008)

Models of Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods Qualitative methods as a facilitator of quantitative work Quantitative methods as a facilitator of qualitative work Qualitative and quantitative as equally important Factors:relative importance order in relation to each other stage of the research process

Qualitative work as facilitating quantitative work Provides ideas / hypotheses Develop / pilot research instruments Clarify / illustrate data

Quantitative methods as facilitating qualitative work Provides contextual background Provides basis for sampling Tests ideas / hypotheses

Qualitative and quantitative methods have equal emphasis Combined research instrument Side by side projects Consecutive / simultaneous data gathering Equal part in analysis / writing up

Epistemological fit Complementarity Integration

Parents typifications of bringing up mixed children based on interviews Self-completion survey open individualise mix collective single collective Key: mother father Tenure of accommodation of parents in mixed relationships