Mix Methods Research

MINGGU KE-3
Core Mixed Methods Designs

1. key concepts that inform the design, description, and

visualization of mixed methods designs;
2. three core mixed methods designs;
3. choosing a core design; and
4. writing about the design in a written report.
key concepts that inform the design, description,
and visualization of mixed methods designs;

• Fixed mixed methods designs are mixed methods studies in which

the use of quantitative and qualitative methods is predetermined
and planned at the start of the research process and the
procedures are implemented as planned.
• Emergent mixed methods designs are found in mixed methods
studies in which the use of mixed methods arises due to issues that
develop during the process of conducting the research
The Three Core Mixed Methods Designs
The Convergent Design

• This design is used when the researcher wants to compare

quantitative statistical results with qualitative findings for a
complete understanding of the research problem
Choice of the convergent design

• useful when:
1. The researcher has limited time for collecting data in the field
and must gather both types of data in one visit
2. The researcher needs both quantitative and qualitative forms of
information from every participant,
3. The researcher has skills in both quantitative and qualitative
methods of research
4. The mixed methods team has individuals skilled in both
quantitative and qualitative research.
Strengths of the convergent design.

1. The design makes intuitive sense

2. It is an efficient design in which both types of data are collected
during one phase of the research at roughly the same time.
3. Each type of data can be collected and analyzed separately and
independently, using the techniques traditionally associated with
each.
4. The design facilitates the direct comparison of participants’
perspectives gathered in an open-ended questioning format with
the perspectives drawn from the researchers’ standpoint in close-
ended questioning
Challenges in using the convergent design

1. Issues of different sample sizes

2. The need to merge a text and a numeric database
3. The need to explain divergence when comparing results
Convergent design variants

1. Parallel-databases variant
2. Data-transformation variant
3. Questionnaire variant
4. Fully integrated variant
The Explanatory Sequential Design

• The explanatory sequential design is a mixed methods design in

which the researcher begins by conducting a quantitative phase
and follows up on specific results with a subsequent qualitative
phase to help explain the quantitative results
Intent of the explanatory sequential design

• The primary intent of this design is to use a qualitative strand to

explain initial quantitative results
Choice of the explanatory sequential design

1. the researcher and the research problem are more quantitatively

oriented and thus it makes sense to start the procedures with a
quantitative phase,
2. The researcher knows the important variables and has access to
quantitative instruments for measuring the constructs of primary
interest,
3. the researcher has the ability to return to participants for a second
round of qualitative data collection,
4. the researcher has the time to conduct the research in two phases,
5. the researcher has limited resources and needs a design in which
only one type of data is being collected and analyzed at a time
Strengths of the explanatory sequential
design

1. This design appeals to quantitative researchers because it often

begins with a strong quantitative orientation
2. Its structure makes it straightforward to implement because the
researcher conducts the two phases separately and collects only
one type of data at a time
3. The final report can be written with a quantitative section
followed by a qualitative section, making it straightforward to
write and providing a clear delineation for readers
4. This design lends itself to emergent approaches in which the
second phase can be designed based on what is learned from the
initial quantitative phase
Challenges in using the explanatory
sequential design

1. Extended time needed for completion

2. The qualitative phase cannot be fully specified in advance
3. Quantitative results to follow up on must be identified
4. Need to specify who can best provide the explanation
Explanatory sequential design variants

1. Follow-up explanations variant

2. Case-selection variant
The Exploratory Sequential Design

• The exploratory sequential design is a three-phase mixed methods

design in which the researcher starts with the collection and
analysis of qualitative data that is then followed by a development
phase of translating the qualitative findings into an approach or
tool that is tested quantitatively
Intent of the exploratory sequential design

• The primary intent of the exploratory design is to develop and

apply a quantitative measure, survey, intervention, digital tool, or
new variables that are grounded in the qualitative data
• This design is particularly useful when the researcher needs to
develop and test an instrument because one is not available or to
identify important variables to study quantitatively when the
variables are unknown
Choice of the exploratory sequential design

1. the researcher and the research problem are more qualitatively

oriented and therefore it makes sense to start with a more
inductive approach
2. the researcher needs to develop a product that is substantively
relevant and culturally sensitive
3. the researcher has the necessary time to conduct the research in
three phases: qualitative, development, and quantitative
4. the researcher is interested in the transferability and
generalizability of a newly developed product
5. the researcher identifies new emergent research questions based
on small-sample qualitative results that can be best tested with a
large quantitative sample
Strengths of the exploratory sequential
design

1. Separate phases make the exploratory sequential design

straightforward to describe, implement, and report.
2. The inclusion of a quantitative component can make the
qualitative approach more acceptable to quantitative-biased
audiences
3. This design is useful when the need for a second, quantitative
phase emerges based on what is learned from the first, qualitative
phase
4. The researcher can produce a new instrument as one of the
potential products of the research process
Challenges in using the exploratory
sequential design

1. The researcher must plan for extended time to complete

2. The quantitative phase must be tentatively specified in advance
3. Two different samples might need to be identified
4. The researcher must determine which qualitative results to use
5. The researcher must be skilled
Exploratory sequential design variants

1. New variable development variant

2. Survey-development variant
3. Interventiondevelopment variant
4. Digital tool development variant
Additional Considerations in Choosing a
Core Design

1. Familiarity of the Designs Used Within the Field

2. Expertise of the Researcher
3. Amount of Time to Conduct the Study
4. Complexity of the Design
THANKS