Mixed Methods Research Design

what should the research question tell us

it should dictate the disign, eg. exploring age related patterns and experiences of chronic cancer related pain in younger and older patients - shows mixed methods

what is pragmatism

doing what works to find solutions to problems

• best way to do research is doing what works at the time for the question, which is incorporating any designs that are appropriate to address the question

what is an example of a mixed methods research

a mixed methods evaluation of a community physical activity program for breast cancer survivors

• needs a multidisciplinary research team

Quant: pedometers, questionnaires

Qual: one on one semistructured interviews

what is the impementation sequence

the order in which quant and qual data are collected and analyzed

Implementation: concurrently

doing both at the same time, includes nested designs: one method is primary approach, the other is imbedded in it

implementation: sequentially

data is collected in independent phases (one first, the other second)

what is priority?

does the quant or qual have more priority?

• the weight or balance or quant vs qual in the study

• what data is give the most credence or importance, how much data is collected from each methodology

• not always stated, often clues like number of participants, greater reporting of certain findings

what is integration?

the mixing of information from quant and qual

• need to know when and how to mix, should be related to research question

what is converging data at the analysis phase

data analyzed separately, but brought together after independent analysis

side by side comparison, one first then the other

what is data transformation

qualitizing numerical data or quantitize qualitative data (frequency counting)

what are some benefits of mixed methods

• neutralizes weaknesses and maximizes strengths of quant and qual designs

• improves comprehensiveness

• developing and testing instruments

• enhancing generalization

what are some challenges to mixed methods

• blending different philosophical world views

• sampling (who and how many)

• timelines and resources

• analyses and weight decisions

what type of data is the priority in an explanatory sequential design

quantitative and then qual

what type of data is the priority in exploratory sequential design

qualitative then quant