Mixed methods & triangulation

What is the mixed method approach also known as?

methodological pluralism

What is an example of a study which used a mixed methods approach?

• Goth: Identity, Style and Subculture by Paul Hodkinson (2002)

• participant observation at the Whitby Gothic Weekend (1st hand experience of “pure goth”)

• questionnaires gave quantitative data & open-ended Qs described as valuable

• unstructured interviews provided in-depth info

• secondary data + document research, analysing Goth fanzines, websites, posters + music

• taking part in Goth online discussion groups

• focus on “norms, meanings, motivations + social patterns”

• mixed methods —> “detailed + cross-verified understanding”

What are the advantages/uses of mixed methods?

• one method can improve another method (eg. might clarify meanings of answers)

• one method can be used to inform the next approach eg. what Qs will be asked

• dif. types of data

• in practice, most sociologists don’t think in terms of positivist vs interpretivist approach, so no problem combining methods

• contradictions revealed

KEY TERM

the use of mixed methods to check the validity of research findings

triangulation

What are the 3 main forms of triangulation?

• combining methods

• combining forms of data (primary vs secondary, quantitative vs qualitative)

• combining findings of dif. researchers

What is an example of a study which used triangulation?

• Sandra Walklate + team studied fear of crime in 2 urban areas in England

• moved between quantitative + qualitative data to uncover dif. layers of social reality & look for confirmations/ contradictions