Mixed Methods Flashcards
What are mixed methods and how can they be applied?
Procedures for collecting, analysing and mixing both qualitative and quantitative methods, approaches, techniques, concepts or language. They can be applied to explore the same research question in one study or multiple.
What is the difference between methods and methodology?
Methods- process by which data is collected
Methodology- study of how research is done- the way we discover about procedures and how knowledge is gained from this
What is the qualitative-quantitative spectrum?
Describes the spectrum of qualitative-quantitative methods broadly speaking from:
Pure qualitative -> qualitative method -> pure mixed -> quant mixed -> pure quantitative
What does the third methodological movement refer to?
Quantitative and qualitative methods being inherently linked to their own methodology and complementary of one another
How can mixed methods designs be identified?
They can be obvious e.g. in titles or results
What is triangulation?
The combination of several research methodologies in one study- for which there are lots of different types
What is BETWEEN methods triangulation?
Refers to using different data collection methods e.g. qual and quant to investigate the same research q
What is WITHIN methods triangulation?
Involves using multiple sources of data or instruments within the same method
What is the sequential EXPLANATORY method?
Starts with quant data and analysis, then follows up with qualitative analysis, each can help with findings, leading to comparison, integration and interpretation of results
What are the pros and cons of the sequential explanatory method?
Pros: comprehensive and nuanced, can explore more complex data in depth and help to identify limitations of quant data
Cons: Time consuming, requires expertise in both and there is potential for disconnect between phases where one method occurs first and the second is not as easy to converge
What is the sequential EXPLORATORY method?
REVERSE of the previous method so QUALITATIVE data is collected first and turned into quantitative scale later on
What are the pros and cons of the sequential exploratory method?
Pros: testing emergent theory, used for validation and can use disconnect due to exploratory nature
Cons: time consuming, can require expertise in both areas
What is the sequential TRANSFORMATIVE method?
When there is no preference for sequencing data collection so qual or quant can be collected first or second. It instead emphasises theory which shapes the research question.
What are the pros and cons of the sequential transformative method?
Pros: employs methods that best serve theoretical perspective chosen
Cons: this can lead to bias (point above)
What is triangulation and what are the four main types in design?
The way you design qualitative and quantitative methods in one study. There are four types: data, methodological, theoretical and investigator
What is a concurrent triangulation design?
Involves collecting qualitative and quantitative data simultaneously
What are the pros and cons of concurrent triangulation designs?
Pros: findings one method can be used to validate another, creating a nuanced understanding
Cons: usually needs a multidisciplinary team and is time consuming
What is the concurrent nested/embedded approach?
When both types of data are collected simultaneously but one of them is prioritised and the other one is ‘nested’. This ‘triangle’ is then mixed to create an interpretation
What are the pros and cons of the concurrent nested/embedded approach?
Pros- efficient and allows for a comprehensive exploration of the research
Cons- may limit follow up studies due to the comprehensive nature and analysis may be hard if data is conflicting/incongruent
What is the concurrent transformative approach?
Refers to theory driven research, allows for examination of phenomena on several different levels. It is usually social but not always
What are the pros and cons of the concurrent transformative approach?
Pros: employs methods that best serve the theoretical perspective chosen aka the biases
Cons: if any issue is not comprehensive then there may be oversight in the design
What are the overall strengths of mixed methods designs?
- Seen to solve the ‘weaknesses’ that separate qual and quant research has
- Possibility to use a wide variety of data collection and analysis
- Larger scale qual/quant work can help to tap more structural effects of interest or addressing interpretive reasons/mechanisms
- Mixing methods permits more exact understanding, creating enhanced internal and external validity
- Greater confidence in results, enriched explanations and theory integration or synthesis
What are the overall weaknesses of mixed methods designs?
- Practical guidance is minimal (still being developed)
- Open to bias with some methods being seen as significantly better than others
- Qual or quant may be prioritised more than another
