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

2. Educational Research 2e: Creswell
Key Ideas
Defining mixed methods research
When do you use mixed methods designs?
The development of mixed methods research
Types of mixed methods designs
Key characteristics of mixed methods research
Steps in conducting a mixed methods study
Evaluating a mixed methods study
Educational Research 2e: Creswell

3. 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

4. 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

5. How did mixed methods research develop?
Mixing of forms of quantitative data
Campbell and Fiske (1959) Multitrait Multimethod approach)
Developing multiple psychologial traits using multiple methods
Expanding into triangulation of quantitative and qualitative (Jick 1979 merger study)
Debating the integration of worldviews and methods
Developing procedures for designs
Advocating for a distinct design (Greene & Caracelli, 1997; Tashakkori & Teddlie, 1998)
Educational Research 2e: Creswell

6. 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

7. 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

8. A notation system for designs
Study #1 QUAL QUAN
+ indicates the simultaneous or concurrent collection
of quantitative and qualitative data.
Study #2 QUAN qual
Shows sequential collection of
quantitative and qualitative data
NOTATION USED
Uppercase letters indicate a priority or increased
weight for either quantitative and qualitative data.
Lowercase letters indicate a lower priority or weight
for either quantitative or qualitative data
Educational Research 2e: Creswell

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. Key characteristics of mixed methods designs: 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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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?
Educational Research 2e: Creswell