scholarly journals The untapped potential of mixed-methods research approaches for German history education research

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Köster ◽  
Holger Thünemann
Keyword(s):  
Education Research ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
History Education ◽  
Added Value ◽  
German History ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
German Studies ◽  
Qualitative Approaches

Despite some pioneering studies, mixed-methods research approaches are uncommon in the German history education community, in contrast to the general increase in mixed-methods research in the educational and social sciences. Conversely, German history education research currently appears to favour quantitative methods as opposed to qualitative approaches – at least in larger research projects. In this paper, we argue for a more inclusive research approach combining qualitative and quantitative methods. Discussion of a pioneering study from the 1980s (Jeismann et al ., 1987) highlights implementation of this unusual approach to history education research in Germany. To illuminate the added value of such a mixed-methods research approach, we discuss two published German studies that respectively rely on quantitative (Trautwein et al ., 2017) and qualitative (Köster, 2013) research methods. A mixed-methods approach might have illuminated each study's 'blind spots'.

Graduate Students’ Current Practices for Writing a Mixed Methods Research Study Abstract: An Examination of Doctoral Dissertation and Master’s Thesis Abstracts in the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses GlobalTM Database

2020 ◽  
pp. 110-128
Author(s):  
Sinem Toraman ◽  
Kyle Cox ◽  
Vicki L. Plano Clark ◽  
Jacinda K. Dariotis
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Global Database ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Doctoral Dissertations

As an emergent research approach, mixed methods research (MMR) is receiving increasing attention in graduate student preparation. Despite growing trends in the prevalence of mixed methods research across disciplines and the extensive methodological literature about this approach, little is known about the actual MMR practices of graduate students, such as writing an abstract. To address this gap, this methodological review used qualitative and quantitative approaches to examine 869 abstracts of doctoral dissertations and master’s theses that were labeled as MMR and published between 2013 and 2018 in the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global database. The results of this study indicated that a great number of institutions and disciplines have supported the use of MMR in doctoral dissertations and master’s theses. In addition, we found that the prevalence of MMR elements in the abstracts of culminating projects was highly varied. MMR element prevalence analysis revealed relatively common (e.g., qualitative methods, quantitative methods, mixed methods design) and relatively uncommon (e.g., sequence/timing of qualitative and quantitative strands, mixed methods rationale, priority, integration techniques, added value of using MMR) reporting practices. Implications for faculty involved in graduate education and mixed methods researchers are discussed.

scholarly journals Linking Quantitative and Qualitative Network Approaches: A Review of Mixed Methods Social Network Analysis in Education Research

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 244-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik E. Froehlich ◽  
Sara Van Waes ◽  
Hannah Schäfer
Keyword(s):  
Education Research ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Network Approaches

Social network analysis (SNA) is becoming a prevalent method in education research and practice. But criticism has been voiced against the heavy reliance on quantification within SNA. Recent work suggests combining quantitative and qualitative approaches in SNA—mixed methods social network analysis (MMSNA)—as a remedy. MMSNA is helpful for addressing research questions related to the formal or structural side of relationships and networks, but it also attends to more qualitative questions such as the meaning of interactions or the variability of social relationships. In this chapter, we describe how researchers have applied and presented MMSNA in publications from the perspective of general mixed methods research. Based on a systematic review, we summarize the different applications within the field of education and learning research, point to potential shortcomings of the methods and its presentation, and develop an agenda to support researchers in conducting future MMSNA research.

scholarly journals Mixed-Methods Design in Biology Education Research: Approach and Uses

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. rm5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdi-Rizak M. Warfa
Keyword(s):  
Education Research ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Educational Research ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Biology Education ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Mixed Methods Design ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
Single Method

Educational research often requires mixing different research methodologies to strengthen findings, better contextualize or explain results, or minimize the weaknesses of a single method. This article provides practical guidelines on how to conduct such research in biology education, with a focus on mixed-methods research (MMR) that uses both quantitative and qualitative inquiries. Specifically, the paper provides an overview of mixed-methods design typologies most relevant in biology education research. It also discusses common methodological issues that may arise in mixed-methods studies and ways to address them. The paper concludes with recommendations on how to report and write about MMR.

scholarly journals Mixed methods in pre-hospital research: understanding complex clinical problems

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 44-51
Author(s):  
Gregory Adam Whitley ◽  
Scott Munro ◽  
Pippa Hemingway ◽  
Graham Richard Law ◽  
Aloysius Niroshan Siriwardena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Clinical Problems ◽  
Hospital Research

Healthcare is becoming increasingly complex. The pre-hospital setting is no exception, especially when considering the unpredictable environment. To address complex clinical problems and improve quality of care for patients, researchers need to use innovative methods to create the necessary depth and breadth of knowledge. Quantitative approaches such as randomised controlled trials and observational (e.g. cross-sectional, case control, cohort) methods, along with qualitative approaches including interviews, focus groups and ethnography, have traditionally been used independently to gain understanding of clinical problems and how to address these. Both approaches, however, have drawbacks: quantitative methods focus on objective, numerical data and provide limited understanding of context, whereas qualitative methods explore more subjective aspects and provide perspective, but can be harder to demonstrate rigour. We argue that mixed methods research, where quantitative and qualitative methods are integrated, is an ideal solution to comprehensively understand complex clinical problems in the pre-hospital setting.The aim of this article is to discuss mixed methods in the field of pre-hospital research, highlight its strengths and limitations and provide examples. This article is tailored to clinicians and early career researchers and covers the basic aspects of mixed methods research. We conclude that mixed methods is a useful research design to help develop our understanding of complex clinical problems in the pre-hospital setting.

scholarly journals Triangulation in history education research, and its limitations: A view from the UK

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Haydn
Keyword(s):  
Education Research ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
History Education ◽  
Education Reforms ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
History Teachers ◽  
Research Outcomes ◽  
The Uk

This paper explains how different forms of triangulation have been used in recent history education research in the UK, and attempts to assess the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to triangulation. It also draws attention to the limitations of triangulation as a means of making claims about the validity of research outcomes. In spite of the pronouncements of policymakers in the UK that education reforms will be 'evidence based', there are many examples of distortion and misrepresentation in the field of history education research. The paper gives some examples of the ways in which triangulation and mixed methods have been used in research in history education in the UK, and argues that without an underpinning commitment to veracity and respect for evidence, sample size, research approach and range of triangulation methods cannot ensure that reasonable claims are made for the outcomes of research. The concluding section of the paper suggests ways of complementing triangulation as a means of moderating judgements and claims in history education research, and argues that it is important that history teachers have an intelligent and well-informed understanding of the potential usefulness and the limitations of research studies in history education. Although the examples of research cited are from the UK, the question of how to optimize the use of mixed methods in history education research is an important issue for researchers and academics in history education worldwide.

scholarly journals Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Data in Mixed Methods Research—Challenges and Benefits

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami Almalki
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Research Challenges ◽  
Personal Opinion ◽  
Collection Methods

<p>This paper is concerned with investigating the integration of quantitative and qualitative data in mixed methods research and whether, in spite of its challenges, it can be of positive benefit to many investigative studies. The paper introduces the topic, defines the terms with which this subject deals and undertakes a literature review to outline the challenges and benefits of employing this approach to research. The specific terms research, educational research, research methodologies and methods, research design, quantitative approaches, qualitative approaches and mixed methods approaches are all defined. Mixed methods approaches are outlined in terms of their challenges and benefits, with the researcher offering a personal opinion in conclusion to the paper. The conclusion that was drawn was that provided that mixed methods research was a suitable approach to any given project, its use would yield positive benefits, in that the use of differing approaches has the potential to provide a greater depth and breadth of information which is not possible utilising singular approaches in isolation. In spite of its time-consuming nature, and the suspicion with which some quarters of academia still regard mixed methods research, it does afford opportunities for researchers to have an informed conversation or debate involving information that is generated by both quantitative and qualitative collection methods. Furthermore, evidence would suggest that, rather than restricting the opportunities for research by only utilising either qualitative or quantitative methods, a mixed methods approach provides researchers with a greater scope to investigate educational issues using both words and numbers, to the benefit of educational establishments and society as a whole.</p>

A Generative Sequential Mixed Methods Approach Using Quantitative Measures to Enhance Social Constructionist Inquiry

2021 ◽  
pp. 155868982098627
Author(s):  
Diego Romaioli
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Constructionist ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods

In order to enhance core mixed methods research designs, social scientists need an approach that incorporates developments in the social constructionist perspective. This work describes a study that aimed to promote occupational well-being in hospital departments where employees are at risk of burnout, based on a constructionist inquiry developed starting from the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Taking this study as an example, we define a “generative sequential mixed methods approach” as a process that involves consulting quantitative studies to identify criticalities on which to conduct focused, transformative investigations. The article contributes by envisaging ways to mix qualitative and quantitative methods that consider a “generative” and “future-forming” orientation to research, in line with recent shifts in social psychology.

scholarly journals Mixed methods research approach to the development and review of competency standards for dietitians

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 305-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan ASH ◽  
Kerryn DOWDING ◽  
Susan PHILLIPS
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Research Approach

scholarly journals Mixed-methods research: A tutorial for speech-language therapists and audiologists in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Marie Wium ◽  
Brenda Louw
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
South African ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Healthcare Professions ◽  
Approach Method

Background: Mixed-methods research (MMR) offers much to healthcare professions on clinical and research levels. Speech-language therapists and audiologists work in both educational and health settings where they deal with real-world problems. Through the nature of their work, they are confronted with multifaceted questions arising from their efforts to provide evidence-based services to individuals of all ages with communication disorders. MMR methods research is eminently suited to addressing such questions. Objective: The aim of this tutorial is to increase awareness of the value of MMR, especially for readers less familiar with this research approach. Method: A literature review was conducted to provide an overview of the key issues in MMR. The tutorial discusses the various issues to be considered in the critical appraisal of MMR, followed by an explanation of the process of conducting MMR. A critical review describes the strengths and challenges in MMR. Results: MMR is less commonly used or published in the fields of speech-language therapy and audiology. Conclusion: Researchers working in teams can draw on the strengths of different disciples and their research approaches. Such collaborative enterprises will contribute to capacity building. Researchers, SLTs and audiologists are encouraged to make use of MMR to address the complex research issues in the multicultural, multifaceted South African context. MMR makes an important contribution to the understanding of individuals with communication disorders, and in turn, researchers in the two disciplinary fields of speech-language therapy and audiology can contribute to the development of this research approach. MMR is well suited to the complexity of South African contexts and its populations, as it can provide multiple perspectives of a topic.

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