The benefits of combined (mixed) methods research

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-87
Author(s):  
Geoff Lindsay
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Parenting Skills ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods ◽  
Roll Out

In this paper I argue for the importance of combined (mixed) methods studies when evaluating complex initiatives such as interventions. These studies combine quantitative and qualitative methods purposively, in order to capture a broader range of important variables than can be examined by either quantitative or qualitative methods alone. In essence, a combined methods study can address outcomes and outputs, and also provide evidence on the processes that are important to optimising success. A large scale Government funded initiative is used as an example. The Parenting Early Intervention Pathfinder introduced parenting programmes into 18 local authorities. Quantitative data showed the scale of the support, and the significant improvements made in parenting skills and mental well-being, and in child behaviour. Qualitative data explored the factors optimising successful implementation. The evidence from the study was used to inform the decision to roll out evidence-based parenting programmes across the whole of England.

Mixed Methods

2021 ◽  
pp. 169-174
Author(s):  
Manfredi Valeriani ◽  
Vicki L. Plano Clark
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Central Idea ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Status ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

This chapter examines mixed-methods research, which is an approach that involves the integration of quantitative and qualitative methods at one or more stages of a research study. The central idea behind mixed-methods research is that the intentional combination of numeric-based methods with narrative-based methods can best provide answers to some research questions. The ongoing attempts to construct a simple and common conceptualization of mixed-methods provide a good indicator of the status of mixed-methods itself. mixed-methods research has emerged as a formalized methodology well suited to addressing complex problems, and is currently applied throughout the social sciences and beyond. Nowadays, researchers interested in combining quantitative and qualitative methods can benefit from the growing knowledge about the epistemological foundations, essential considerations, and rigorous designs that have been advanced for mixed-methods research.

scholarly journals Advocating mixed-methods approaches in health research

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 417-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
H MacKenzie Bryers ◽  
E VanTeijlingen ◽  
E Pitchforth
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods ◽  
Broad Overview ◽  
The Way

This methods paper provides researchers in Nepal with a broad overview of the practical and philosophical aspects of mixed-methods research.   The three authors have a wide-ranging expertise in planning and conducting mixed-methods studies.  The paper outlines the different paradigms or philosophies underlying quantitative and qualitative methods and some of the on-going debates about mixed-methods.   The paper further highlights a number of practical issues, such as (a) the particular mix and order of quantitative and qualitative methods; (b) the way of integrating methods from different philosophical stance; and (c) how to synthesise mixed-methods findings. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v4i5.12018 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 2014; 4(5):417-22

I’ve 500 friends, but who are my mates? Investigating the influence of online friend networks on adolescent wellbeing

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Best ◽  
Brian Taylor ◽  
Roger Manktelow
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Young Males ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Influence Perceptions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between online friend networks and the mental well-being (MWB) of adolescent males. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a mixed methods approach: first, questionnaire involving a validated MWB scale and questions regarding online friendship to 14-15 year old males (n=521); and second, focus group interviews (n=8) of between six and eight members three months later. Findings – Positive and negative associations were recorded between online friends and well-being. A positive relationship (p < 0.05) was found between the number of online friends and well-being scores. However, higher numbers of online friends were also associated with increases in negative online experiences namely, receiving embarrassing posts online or risky activities such as, chatting frequently with strangers. Online friends may influence perceptions of social support, status and belonging, each of which may contribute positively or negatively to well-being. However, by increasing these perceptions, online friends may cause additional distress when their presence does not provide tangible support during a crisis period. Originality/value – Online friends provide the context to which young males explore and negotiate the online world. To date, little mixed methods research has focused exclusively on the MWB of online friends. Policy makers could do well to consider the growing prominence of online social networking and produce targeted programmes to educate young people on the benefits and pitfalls of building large online “friend” networks.

scholarly journals Use of various strategies of mixed methods research in organizational culture diagnosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 62-70
Author(s):  
S.A. Lipatov
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Natural Phenomenon ◽  
Theoretical Justification ◽  
Relevant Result ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

Differences between quantitative and qualitative methods at various levels are described. The advantages and disadvantages of these groups of methods are analyzed in relation to the process of studying the culture of the organization, it is concluded that the separate use of only one class of methods in the diagnosis of organizational culture can lead to the construction of an inadequate picture. The emergence of a strategy of “mixed methods” is quite natural phenomenon. However, the joint use of different methods in one study involves solving a number of methodological problems of their interrelation. We consider a variant of the theoretical justification that guides such studies, proposed by J. Green and her colleagues, based on which three strategies for mixing quantitative and qualitative methods in diagnosing the culture of an organization are described: triangulation, addition, and development. It is supposed that these strategies can be combined in the process of an organizational culture diagnosis in order to obtain a more complete, reliable and most relevant result.

scholarly journals Infection and Risk Perception of SARS-CoV-2 among Airport Workers: A Mixed Methods Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (23) ◽  
pp. 9002
Author(s):  
Jeadran Malagón-Rojas ◽  
Eliana L. Parra B ◽  
Marcela Mercado
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Public Transport ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

This is a mixed-methods research study carried out on a cohort of airport workers during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We used quantitative and qualitative methods to describe the infection and risk perception of SARS-CoV-2 in a cohort of workers at the International Airport El Dorado/Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento in Bogotá, Colombia. An incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection of 7.9% was found in the workers. A high perception of risk was associated with activities such as using public transport. Risk perception is strongly influenced by practices related to work conditions and environments. These findings could help us understand the pandemic’s dynamics and the conceptions of the risk of transmission to promote policies on health and safety in this group of workers.

Exploring Injury Panorama, Consequences, and Recovery among Bus Crash Survivors: A Mixed-Methods Research Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Doohan ◽  
Ulf Björnstig ◽  
Ulrika Östlund ◽  
Britt-Inger Saveman
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Severe Injuries ◽  
Minor Injuries ◽  
Mental Well Being

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore physical and mental consequences and injury mechanisms among bus crash survivors to identify aspects that influence recovery.MethodsThe study participants were the total population of survivors (N=56) from a bus crash in Sweden. The study had a mixed-methods design that provided quantitative and qualitative data on injuries, mental well-being, and experiences. Results from descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis were interpreted and integrated in a mixed-methods analysis.ResultsAmong the survivors, 11 passengers (20%) sustained moderate to severe injuries, and the remaining 45 (80%) had minor or no physical injuries. Two-thirds of the survivors screened for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk were assessed, during the period of one to three months after the bus crash, as not being at-risk, and the remaining one-third were at-risk. The thematic analysis resulted in themes covering the consequences and varying aspects that affected the survivors’ recoveries. The integrated findings are in the form of four “core cases” of survivors who represent a combination of characteristics: injury severity, mental well-being, social context, and other aspects hindering and facilitating recovery. Core case Avery represents a survivor who had minor or no injuries and who demonstrated a successful mental recovery. Core case Blair represents a survivor with moderate to severe injuries who experienced a successful mental recovery. Core case Casey represents a survivor who sustained minor injuries or no injuries in the crash but who was at-risk of developing PTSD. Core case Daryl represents a survivor who was at-risk of developing PTSD and who also sustained moderate to severe injuries in the crash.ConclusionThe present study provides a multi-faceted understanding of mass-casualty incident (MCI) survivors (ie, having minor injuries does not always correspond to minimal risk for PTSD and moderate to severe injuries do not always correspond to increased risk for PTSD). Injury mitigation measures (eg, safer roadside material and anti-lacerative windows) would reduce the consequences of bus crashes. A well-educated rescue team and a compassionate and competent social environment will facilitate recovery.DoohanI,BjörnstigU,ÖstlundU,SavemanBI.Exploring injury panorama, consequences, and recovery among bus crash survivors: a mixed-methods research study.Prehosp Disaster Med.2017;32(2):165–174.

Our debates: Finding, fixing, and enacting reality

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 260-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Morawski
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
The Political ◽  
Relational Processes ◽  
Knowledge Seeking ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

Working in the long historical shadow of what has been taken to be debates between quantitative and qualitative methods, Osatuke and Stiles (2011), Westerman (2011), and Yanchar (2011) seek to move beyond those debates and even the various détentes posed in mixed-methods research. Their projects can be assessed in terms of this seemingly permanent shadow and also within a broader framing of the political, ethical, epistemic, and ontological stakes that abide in methodological decisions. Taking a broad historical and meta-theoretical perspective illuminates both the boldness and the limitations of the three papers. Especially notable are their procedures for abandoning the Archimedean distanced observational stance, replacing it with intersubjective, relational processes of knowledge seeking.

Phenomenography as a Foundation for Mixed Models Research

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
pp. 887-899 ◽  
Author(s):  
David F. Feldon ◽  
Colby Tofel-Grehl
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Mixed Methodology ◽  
Research Strategies ◽  
Personal Meanings ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

Phenomenography is a methodological paradigm, which emphasizes personal conceptions as a necessary construct to understand the relationship between the physical events that people experience and the personal meanings that they derive from those experiences. This perspective provides a useful framework for mixed methodology research, because its ontology provides both equal legitimacy to objective and subjective phenomena and an integrated paradigm within which one can jointly engage quantitative and qualitative methods. We examine several instances of mixed methods research from the literature that utilize a phenomenographic perspective and identify implications for further development of mixed research strategies.

Strategies of Integration in Mixed Methods Research

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Tunarosa ◽  
Mary Ann Glynn
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
High Potential ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Theoretical Integration ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods ◽  
Organizational Literature

The challenge of integration, namely, the bridging across different intellectual paradigms to combine empirical insights into a coherent and plausible explanation, is endemic to mixed methods research. In this article, we address this challenge in two ways: first, by drawing attention to the role that theoretical integration plays in mixed methods research as a complement to empirical integration and second, by broadening the repertoire of strategies for enhancing the interplay of theoretical and empirical elements in a mixed methods study. We use the technique of relational algorithms, a linguistic exercise designed to produce “novel relations between pairs of things” by experimenting with different words that can connect theory and empirics. We propose that connector words (e.g., along, near, within) can forge linkages between quantitative and qualitative methods that extend the simple coupling implied by and. We advance five strategies of integration, two that are commonly used in management research—conjoined and sequential—and three high-potential but relatively underused strategies—simultaneous, full-cycle, and mono-logic. We illustrate each of these with examples from the management and organizational literature.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document