This document discusses mixed methods research. It defines mixed methods research as an approach that uses both qualitative and quantitative research methods to answer research questions. It discusses the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative and quantitative research. Mixed methods research aims to integrate both types of data to draw on their respective strengths. Reasons for using mixed methods include triangulation, complementarity, development, initiation and expansion. The document also discusses mixed methods research design considerations like concurrent versus sequential designs and equal versus unequal status of qualitative and quantitative components. It provides an example of a mixed methods study and references for further reading on mixed methods research.

1. 
Vimala Judy
Kamalodeen
31/7/2016
The University
of the West
Indies, STA
Arthur Lok Jack
Mixed Methods
Research

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3. What is Mixed Methods?
Many definitions of mixed methods are available
in the literature but not agreed upon (e.g., see
Johnson, Onwuegbuzie, & Turner, 2007).
Application of mixed methods research to “wicked
problems” requiring trans-disciplinary and
methodological approaches to generate novel
understandings (Mertens, 2015)
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4. A purpose to consider:
For purposes of this discussion, mixed methods research or mixed
research (Onwuegbuzie,2012) will be defined as a research approach
or methodology:
 focusing on research questions that call for real-life contextual
understandings, multi-level perspectives, and cultural influences;
 employing rigorous quantitative research assessing magnitude and
frequency of constructs and rigorous qualitative research exploring
the meaning and understanding of constructs;
 utilizing multiple methods (e.g., intervention trials and in-depth
interviews);
 intentionally integrating or combining these methods to draw on the
strengths of each; and
 framing the investigation within philosophical and theoretical
positions.
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5. A bit on the so-called paradigm war
Positivism/realism
Constructivism/interpretivism
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6. 6
Saunders, Lewis, & Thornhill, A. (2007)

7. Philosophy in Mixed Methods Research
Mixed methods researchers use and often make explicit
diverse philosophical positions. These positions often
are referred to as dialectal stances that bridge
 postpositivist and social constructivist worldviews,
 pragmatic perspectives (what works)
 transformative perspectives (social justice)
(Greene, 2007).
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8. Theories and mixed methods research:
 Optimally, all studies draw upon one or more
theoretical frameworks from the social, behavioral,
or biological sciences to inform all phases of the
study.
 Mixed methods studies provide opportunities for
the integration of a variety of theoretical
perspectives (e.g., ecological theories, complexity
theory, stress theory, critical theories, or others).
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9. Creswell on mixed methods
 https://youtu.be/1OaNiTlpyX8
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10. The nature of qualitative research and
its evidence
 A salient strength of qualitative research is its focus on the
contexts and meaning of human lives and experiences for the
purpose of inductive or theory-development driven research.
 Qualitative data help researchers understand processes,
especially those that emerge over time, provide detailed
information about setting or context, and emphasize the voices
of participants through quotes.
 Qualitative methods facilitate the collection of data when
measures do not exist and provide a depth of understanding of
concepts. Typical qualitative approaches used in education
research are case studies, grounded theory, ethnography, and
phenomenology.
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11. The nature of quantitative
research and its evidence:
 Quantitative research is a mode of inquiry used often for deductive
research, when the goal is to test theories or hypotheses, gather
descriptive information, or examine relationships among variables.
 These variables are measured and yield numeric data that can be
analyzed statistically. Quantitative data have the potential to provide
measurable evidence, to help to establish (probable) cause and effect,
to yield efficient data collection procedures, to create the possibility of
replication and generalization to a population, to facilitate the
comparison of groups, and to provide insight into a breadth of
experiences.
 Typical quantitative approaches used in the education are descriptive
surveys, observational studies, case-control studies, randomized
controlled trials, and quasi-experimental designs.
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12. Towards the “radical” middle:
Qual Quant
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m
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Onwuegbuzie (2012)

13. The integration of multiple forms of
data
 In mixed methods studies, investigators intentionally
integrate or combine quantitative and qualitative data
rather than keeping them separate. The basic concept is
that integration of quantitative and qualitative data
maximizes the strengths and minimizes the weaknesses
of each type of data. This idea of integration separates
current views of mixed methods from older perspectives
in which investigators collected both forms of data, but
kept them separate or casually combined them rather
than using systematic integrative procedures. One of the
most difficult challenges is how to integrate different
forms of data. Three approaches have been discussed in
the literature (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2011): merging
data, connecting data, and embedding data.
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14. Reasons to Mix Methods
 Triangulation
 Complementarity
 Development
 Initiation
 Expansion
 Explanation
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When Should Mixed
Methods Be Used?

16. Research problems suitable for mixed
methods
The research methods in an investigation must fit the research
problem or question. Problems most suitable for mixed methods
are those in which the quantitative approach or the qualitative
approach, by itself, is inadequate to develop multiple perspectives
and a complete understanding about a research problem or
question. For example, quantitative outcome measures may be
comprehensible using qualitative data. Alternatively, qualitative
exploration may usefully occur prior to development of an
adequate instrument for measurement. By including qualitative
research in mixed methods, social science investigators can study
new questions and initiatives, complex phenomena, hard-to-
measure constructs, and interactions in specific, everyday settings,
in addition to experimental settings.
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How Can Mixed Methods
Research be Designed?

18. Mixing methods and more…
Mixed
research
Partial mixed
Concurrent
Equal
unequal
Sequential
Equal
unequal
Full mixed
Concurrent
Equal
Unequal
Sequential
Equal
unequal
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Leech &
Onwuegbuzie
(2009)
Mixing
dimension
Time
dimension
Status
dimension

19. Matrix Crossing Purpose of Mixed Methods
Research byTime Orientation
Purpose of Mixed Methods
Research
Concurrent Design
Appropriate?
Sequential Design
Appropriate?
Triangulation Yes No
Complementarity Yes Yes
Development No Yes
Initiation Yes Yes
Expansion No Yes
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Onwuegbuzie & Leech(2007)

20. Mixing by Status
• Equal status
• Qual Dominant
• Quant Dominant
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21. steps of MMR Design
Research
formulation
1. Determine the
mixed goal
2. Formulate
research objectives
3. Determine
rationale
4.Determine
purpose
5. Write research
question[s]
Research
planning
6. choose sampling
framework
7. choose mixed
methods design
including time and
status dimensions
Research
Implementation
8. collect and
analyze quantitative
and/or qualitative
data
9.
validate/legitimate
and interpret the
mixed research
findings
10. write the mixed
research report, and
reformulate the
mixed research
question[s]).
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Onwuegbuzie, Frels, Collins & Leech (2013)

22. An example of a mixed methods study
• Online teacher participation in a social networking site
• Nature of participation
Barriers to participation
• Qualitative and quantitative questions
Research focus
• sequential
• Qualitative dominant
• Partial mixed methods
Research design
• Sampling – snowball
• Data collection-Surveys, interviews
• Analysis- social network analysis, descriptive statistics, thematic analysis
Research Implementation
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23. Some mixed methods references
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Books
0 Creswell, J. (2015). A concise introduction to mixed methods research.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
0 Creswell, J., & Plano-Clark, V. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed
methods research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
0 Curry, L. A., & Nunez-Smith, M. (2015). Mixed Methods in Health
Sciences Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
0 Greene, J. (2007). Mixed methods in social inquiry. San Francisco:
Jossey-Bass.
0 Hesse-Biber, S. (2010). Mixed Methods Research. NY: Guilford Press.
0 Teddlie, C., & Tashakkori, A. (2009). Foundations of mixed methods
research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

24. Some mixed methods references
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Articles
-Journal of Mixed Methods Research
Johnson, R. B., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Turner, L. A. (2007). Toward a Definition of Mixed Methods Research, Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1,
112-133. DOI: 10.1177/1558689806298224
- This was published in the initial issue of the journal and remains on my “need to” read list
Collins, K. M. T., & O'Cathain, A. (2009). Ten points about mixed methods research to be considered by the novice researcher. International Journal
of Multiple Research Approaches, 3(1), 2-7.
- This is a great beginning place for researchers to think about what “needs” to be thought about
Bazeley, P., & Kemp, L. (2012). Mosaics, Triangles, and DNA Metaphors for integrated analysis in mixed methods research. Journal of Mixed
Methods Research, 6(1), 55-72. doi: 10.1177/1558689811419514
- I love this article description of analysis- I believe Pat Bazeley’s analysis book comes out this year!
Hesse-Biber, S., & Johnson, R. B. (2013). Coming at things differently: Future directions of possible engagement with mixed methods research.
Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 7, 103-109. doi: DOI: 10.1177/1558689813483987
-A wonderful beginning conversation of the future of mixed methods
Mertens, D.M. (2011). Publishing Mixed Methods Research, Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 5, 3-5. DOI: 10.1177/1558689810390217
- Great resource, written by Donna Mertens when she was editor of the Journal
Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Combs, J. P. (2010). Emergent data analysis techniques in mixed methods research: A synthesis. In A. Tashakkori & C. Teddlie
(Eds.), Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioral research (2nd ed., pp. 397-430). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Onwuegbuzie, A. J., Leech, N. L., & Collins, K. M. T. (2011). Toward a new era for conducting mixed analysis: The role of quantitative dominant and
qualitative dominant crossover mixed analysis. In M. Williams & W. P. Vogt (Eds.), The Sage Handbook of Innovation in Social Research Methods
(pp. 353-384). Thousand Oaks, CA

25. Thank you! and questions?
 Dr. Vimala Judy Kamalodeen
 School of Education
 Faculty of Humanities and Education
 The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine
 Email: vimala.kamalodeen@sta.uwi.edu
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