Creating and Implementing a Mixed Method Research Study

This chapter serves as a guideline for outlining the core characteristics of mixed methods research (MMR) and the various steps researchers undertake in order to conduct a research study. The purpose is to create a worksheet assisting the researcher step by step from beginning to end following the seven steps to conducting research. While the focus is on MMR the steps are similar for any type of research methodology. It is important to note that MMR is not a limiting form of research. Researchers need a MMR question and a mixed methods purpose statement for the research project. This chapter will also help explain why mixed method research is one of the best approaches in answering a research question. Finally, the chapter includes a suggestion to the importance of adding a visual diagram of the MMR into the research project and into the final report.

Morphological Ontology Design Engineering

In the Social-technical domain scientists are often confronted with a class of problems that are termed messy, ill-structured or wicked. These problems address complex issues that not well-defined, contain unresolvable uncertainties, and are characterized by a lack of common agreement on problem definition. This chapter proposes a new mixed methods research technique, Morphological Ontology Design Engineering (MODE), which can be applied to develop models for ill-structured problems. MODE combines three different research methodologies into a single, methodology. MODE draws from research paradigms that include exploratory and descriptive research approaches to develop models. General morphological analysis offers a systematic method to extract meaningful information from domain experts, while ontology based representation is used to logically represent domain knowledge. The design science methodology guides the entire process. MODE is applied to a case study where an ontological model is developed to support the implementation of a South African national cybersecurity policy.

Examining Online Communication

Methods of individual communication continue to expand through online media. Given the dynamic nature of online communications, traditional methods for studying communications may not suffice. A hybridized content analytic approach that combines qualitative and quantitative methods offers a unique methodological tool to researchers who seek to better understand computer-mediated communications and the psychological characteristics of those who communicate online by evaluating qualitative information using quantitative methods. This means of measurement allows researchers to statistically evaluate whether investigated phenomena are occurring in combination with the richness that qualitative assessment provides. As with any approach to computer-mediated communication, various ethical considerations must be borne in mind, and, thus, are discussed in concert with this hybridized approach to content analysis.

How Marketers Conduct Mixed Methods Research

The complimentary nature of qualitative and quantitative research methods are examined with respect to a study assessing the market's view of a training and development institute in the Middle East. The qualitative portion consisted of focus groups conducted with seven distinct market segments served by the institute. The results proved insightful with respect to uncovering and understanding differences of opinion among the seven groups; however, taken alone, the qualitative research would have been very misleading with respect to the institute's standing in the Middle East.

Sampling in Research

Research is aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws. A sample provides needed information about the population quickly. However, there is no guarantee that any sample will be precisely representative of the population from which it comes. It is cheaper to observe a part rather than the whole. This chapter is a discussion on sampling in research and it is mainly designed to equip researchers with knowledge of the general issues to consider when sampling. The purpose of sampling in research, dangers of sampling and how to minimize them, types of sampling and guides for deciding the sample size are discussed. For a clear flow of ideas, a few definitions of the terms used are given. They highlight the types and methods of sampling, sampling errors and discusses techniques of sample size determination. Different types of sampling technique, how to carry them out, and their advantages and disadvantages are also introduced.

Designs of Mixed Method Research

Mixed methods research is becoming an increasingly popular approach in the discipline fields of sociology, psychology, education and health sciences. Calls for the integration of quantitative and qualitative research methods have been advanced in these fields. A key feature of mixed methods research is its methodological pluralism, which frequently results in research which provides broader perspectives than those offered by mono-method designs. The central premise of mixed methods is that the use of quantitative and qualitative approaches in combination provides a better understanding of research problems and complex phenomena than either approach alone. The purpose of this chapter is to review designs of mixed methods research. The study surveys the common designs of mixed methods research and examine the main characteristics of each in terms of purposes, strengths, and issues, and posits suggestions on the application of these designs.

Mentoring and Support for the edTPA

The research question was: How effective is the current edTPA mentoring and support program for teacher candidates? This research utilized mixed method interactive program evaluation. An online survey collected teacher candidates' perceptions of mentoring and support for edTPA. The survey questions were organized around four constructs: Preparedness, support from instructor, support from university supervisors, and support from cooperating teacher. With N = 46, a comprehensive data analysis was conducted that identified areas of strength and need of the program. As a result, the researchers developed an edTPA mentoring and support program model.

Moving from Tension to Texture

Much like a jigsaw puzzle box top guides one in how to connect the pieces, an individual's research paradigm operates as a conscious or subconscious influence in conducting a research project. This chapter starts by making the argument for the critical role of research paradigms before moving into a thorough investigation of the paradigmatic origins of the qualitative-quantitative “debate.” While mixed-methods research is often seen as the mediator in the dispute, the authors then articulate four broad ways in which mixed methods research addresses the paradigm divide at the heart of qualitative and quantitative research. The result is paradigmatically complex, but offers researchers flexibility as they seek to address their research question.

Making Sense of All the Words

This chapter provides an introduction to the process of qualitative analysis and to use step by step examples to provide an idea of how the process of qualitative analysis actually works. Crabtree and Miller, 1992, note that there are many different strategies for analysis, in fact, they suggest there are as many strategies as there are qualitative researchers. This chapter is intended to give the researcher a place to begin and to inspire a deeper dive into this rewarding form of data analysis. Stake, (1995) writes that qualitative data analysis is “a matter of giving meaning to first impressions as well as to final compilations. Analysis essentially means taking something apart. We take our impressions, our observations, apart… we need to take the new impression apart, giving meaning to the parts”(p. 71). While qualitative data analysis can be time consuming the rewards that come from immersion in the data far outweigh the time spent doing so.

Mixed Method Research

Mixed methods have emerged as the third research community in the social and behavioural sciences during the past decades, joining quantitative and qualitative methods of scholarly inquiry. Mixed methods research, research paradigm, methodology, and action research have encouraged the combined use of quantitative and qualitative research to answer complex questions in recent years. Mixed methods research integrates both methods, the quantitative and the qualitative, to present research findings within a single system process. The chapter aims to provide an insight between mixed method research and action research, which includes the basic foundation of mixed method research and research paradigm. The chapter will discuss the concept of action research and how mixed method is applied to action research and its processes. A brief idea about the future plan of action required for mixed methods research to attain better research designs and processes is also discussed in the chapter.