Mixed method research involves using both quantitative and qualitative research methods in a single study to provide a more complete understanding of research problems. It is located within the pragmatic paradigm which emphasizes using multiple approaches to answer research questions rather than restricting methods. Mixed method designs combine quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis to explore research issues. The approach strengthens research by allowing different types of data to complement each other and overcome individual method weaknesses. However, mixed method studies are more complex, time-consuming, and expensive for a single researcher to conduct.

1. Mixed Method Research
Introduction
•Mixed method research also is an attempt to legitimate the use of
multiple approaches in answering research questions rather than
restricting or constraining researchers choices.
•It is an expensive and creative from research not a limiting form of
research.
•It is inclusive, pluralistic, and complementary, and it suggests that
researchers take an electric approach to method selection and the
thinking about and conduct of research.

2. Mixed Method Research
What does it mean
•Involves the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods in a single
study.
•Those who engage in such research argues that the use of both methods
provides a more complete understanding of research problems than does
the use of either one.

3. Definition of Mixed Method Research
•Mixed Method Research design is located with in the pragmatic
paradigm which emphasizes ends over means.
•The focus of research is deemed to be on exploring answers to research
questions using a variety of ways rather than implementing a particular
paradigmatic position .
•A combination of quantitative and qualitative data to explore research
issues/questions.

4. Multi method research
Characteristics of Mixed Method Designs
•The researcher describes the kinds of mixed methods being used.
•The data collection section indicate narrative, numerical, or both types
of data are being collected .
•The purpose statement or the research questions indicate the types of
methods being used.
•Questions are stated and described for both quantitative and qualitative
approaches.
•The researcher indicates these quenching of collecting quantitative and
qualitative data (i.e QUAN –Qual, QUAL –Quan, or QUAN - QUAL )
•The researcher describe both quantitative and qualitative data analysis
strategies .
•The writing is balanced in terms of quantitative and qualitative
approaches.

5. Mixed research
Fundamental principle of mixed research : It is wise to collect
multiple sets of data using different research methods to ‘’cover holes’’
that might exist with only one type of research.
•Allows confidence to be placed in findings arrived at from more than
one angle.
•If data suggests conflicting conclusions, then more research will be
needed to explore the phenomenon.
•The mixed approach often best answers questions in a complex and ever
– changing world.

6. Strengthens Mixed Research
•Words, pictures, and narrative can be used to add meaning to numbers.
•Numbers can be used to add precision to words, pictures and narratives.
•Researcher can generate and test grounded theory.
•Can answer a border and more complete range of research questions.
•A researcher can use the strengthens of the additional method to
overcome the weakness in another method by using both in a research
study.
•Can provide stronger evidence for a conclusion through convergence
and corroboration of findings.
•Can add insights and understanding that might be missed when only
single method is used.
•Can be used to increase the generalizability of the results.
•Qualitative and quantitative research used together produce more
complete knowledge necessary to inform theory and practice .

7. Weakness Of Mixed Research
•Can be difficult for a single researcher to carry out both qualitative and
quantitative research, especially if two or more approaches are expected
to be used concurrently; it may require research team.
•Researcher has to learn about multiple methods and approaches and
understand how to mix them appropriately.
•Methodological purists contend that one should always work within
either a qualitative or a quantitative paradigm.
•More expensive and more time consuming.
•Some of the details of mixed research remain to be worked out fully by
research methodologists (eg. Problems of paradigm mixing, how to
qualitatively analyze quantitative data, how to interpret conflicting
results).

8. Three types of research designs
Qualitative research: exploring and understanding the meaning
individuals or groups ascribe to a social or a human problem.
Quantitative research: testing objective theories by examining the
relationship among variables.
Mixed method research: an approach to inquiry that combines or
associates both qualitative and quantitative forms.

10. Advantages of contributions
Expanded knowledge of the theme, from multiple perspectives for
understanding complex phenomena.
Overcoming weakness in a single method and producing more in depth
data compared to using an isolated approach.
Expansion of knowledge in substantive areas that are emerging or still
little explored, with a view to identifying intervention needs .
Association and comparison of data provide greater reliability/validity
to the research.
Construction of interdisciplinary research teams, based on the
involvement of participants who contribute to the elaboration of deeper
understanding and solutions to complex problems.

11. Drawbacks Of Mixed Method Studies
•You might ask ‘’why all research problems are not addressed using
mixed methods designs. ‘’
1. Extremely time - consuming and expensive to carry out.
2. many researchers are only experienced in only one type of research.

12. Conclusion
Mixed method research is to integrate to both qualitative and
quantitative methods in the research and understanding the research
question or topics or problems. Data collection, analysis, interpretation
and findings is the final result of using both qualitative and quantitative
in the mixed method research. Using both of the methods as a key
component in the research and collecting the data properly will have a
good approach on the research.

13. Reference :
Agarwal Y.P.(1988) Better Sampling : Concepts, Techniques and Evaluation.
Sharma,Bharti(2004) Methodology of Educational Research. New Delhi.