Power Point Slides by Ronald J. Shope in collaboration with John W. Creswell Chapter 17 Mixed Methods Designs

Educational Research 2e: Creswell What is mixed methods research? A mixed methods research design is a procedure for collecting, analyzing, and “mixing” both quantitative and qualitative data in a single study to understand a research problem.

Educational Research 2e: Creswell When do you use mixed methods research? When both quantitative and qualitative data, together, provide a better understanding of your research problem than either type by itself To provide a complete picture of the research problem –Quantitative: trends and describing population –Qualitative: participants’ words When you want to build from one phase of a study to another –Explore qualitatively then develop an instrument –Follow-up a quantitative study to obtain more detailed information.

Educational Research 2e: Creswell Identifying a mixed methods study in the literature The title for words such as “mixed methods” or “multi-method” etc. Data collection section indicates both qualitative and quantitative data were collected Purpose statement and or research questions indicate that the researcher intends to collect both quantitative and qualitative data during the study

Educational Research 2e: Creswell Identifying a mixed methods study in the literature Priority or weight: qualitative, or quantitative or both equally Sequence of collecting quantitative and qualitative data is indicated Analyze both data sets –Combined in one analysis (Integrated) –Separate analysis

Educational Research 2e: Creswell Mixed methods designs: Explanatory design Researcher places priority on quantitative (QUAN) data collection and analysis Researcher collects quantitative data first in the sequence Researcher uses the qualitative data to refine the results of the quantitative data

Educational Research 2e: Creswell Mixed methods designs: Triangulation design Researcher gives priority to both quantitative (QUAN) and qualitative (QUAL) data Researcher collects both quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously Researcher compares the results from quantitative and qualitative analysis to determine if the two data bases yield similar or dissimilar results

Educational Research 2e: Creswell Mixed methods designs: Exploratory design Research emphasizes qualitative (QUAL) data rather than quantitative (quan) data Researcher has a sequence to data collection that involves collecting qualitative data followed by quantitative data Researcher plans on the quantitative data to build on or explain the initial qualitative findings

Educational Research 2e: Creswell Types of mixed methods designs I. Triangulation mixed methods Design II. Explanatory mixed methods Design III. Exploratory mixed methods Design QUAN Data and Results QUAN Data and Results + QUAL Data and Results QUAL Data and Results qual Data and Results quan Data and Results Interpretation Follow-up Building

Educational Research 2e: Creswell Key Characteristics of mixed methods Design Rationale for the design Collecting quantitative and qualitative data Priority Sequence Data analysis matched to design Diagram of the procedures

Educational Research 2e: Creswell Key characteristics of mixed methods designs: Rationale Rationale –Test findings of first phase –Explain in more detail results of first phase –Provide a more complete understanding than either quantitative or qualitative alone Collecting both qualitative and quantitative data –Numeric data –Text data

Educational Research 2e: Creswell Key characteristics of mixed methods designs: Rationale Priority –Equal weight –Quan carries more weight than qual –Qual carries more weight than quan Sequence –Collect both quantitative and qualitative data at the same time. –Collect quantitative data first, followed by qualitative data. –Collect qualitative data first followed by quantitative data.

Educational Research 2e: Creswell Key characteristics of mixed methods designs: Rationale Analysis matched to design –Data analysis strategies for triangulation design –Data analysis strategies for exploratory design –Data analysis strategies for explanatory design Diagram of procedures –Use notation system –Identify priority –Identify sequence

Educational Research 2e: Creswell Steps of Conducting a mixed methods Study Determine if a Mixed Methods Study is Feasible Develop quantitative and qualitative research questions Collect quantitative and qualtitative data Analyze data separately or concurrently Write the report as a One- or Two-Phase Study Identify the data collection strategy and type of design Identify a Rationale for a mixed methods Study Step 1 Step 2 Step 4 Step 3 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Priority Sequence Visualization

Educational Research 2e: Creswell Evaluating a mixed methods study Does the study employ at least one quantitative method and one qualitative method? Is it called a mixed methods (or a similar term) study? Is there a rationale for why the author intends to mix the methods in a single study and what will be gained in the process?

Educational Research 2e: Creswell Evaluating a mixed methods study Does the author indicate the type of mixed methods study being presented? Alternatively, can you identify the type from reading the rationale or from a visual figure depicting the flow of the data collection activities? Does the author mention the priority given to quantitative and qualitative data and the sequence of their use in the study? Is the study feasible, given the data to be collected and the amount of money, time, and expertise required?

Educational Research 2e: Creswell Evaluating a mixed methods study Have research questions been written for both quantitative and qualitative methods in the study? Have quantitative and qualitative data collection procedures been clearly identified? Are the procedures for data analysis consistent with the type of mixed methods study being presented? Is the written structure of the study consistent with the type of mixed methods study being presented?