Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research

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Quantitative methods can be difficult, expensive and time consuming (especially if using primary data, rather than secondary data). Experiments are useful to investigate cause and effect, when the variables can be tightly controlled. They can test a theory or hypothesis in controlled conditions. Experiments donotproveordisproveanhypothesis, instead theysupportornot supportanhypothesis. When using the empirical and inductive method it is not possible to achieve conclusive results. The results may only be valid untilfalsifiedby other experiments and observations. If the research involves human subjects, then include a detailed description of who and how many participated along with how the participants were selected. Secondary data are data (primary sources) that were originally collected by someone else (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill 2015, p316). Questionnaires and surveys are useful to gain opinions, attitudes, preferences, understandings on certain matters. They can provide quantitative data that can be collated systematically; qualitative data, if they include opportunities for open-ended responses; or both qualitative and quantitative elements.

Whatsources anddata you are using and why(how are they going to help you answer the research question and/ortest the hypothesis. Secondary sources normally include the literature (books and articles) with the experts' findings, analysis and discussions on a certain topic (Cottrell, 2014, p123). Secondary sources ofteninterpretprimary sources. Primary data are data (primary sources) you directly obtained through your empirical work (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill 2015, p316).Identifying a Topic, Rationale, and Potential Feasibility Issues for Conducting a Mixed Methods Research or Evaluation Project When undertakingmixed-methodsresearch you can collect the qualitative and quantitative data either concurrently or sequentially. If sequentially, you can for example,start with a few semi-structured interviews, providing qualitative insights, and then design a questionnaire to obtain quantitative evidence that your qualitative findings can also apply to a wider population (Specht, 2019, p138). Mixed-method approaches combine both qualitative and quantitative methods, and therefore combine the strengths of both types of research. Mixed methods have gained popularity in recent years. Ensuring Mixed Methods Research Integrity: Quality Considerations for Mixed Methods Research and Evaluation Studies

Quantitative research uses numerical data (quantities) deriving,for example,from experiments, closed questions in surveys, questionnaires, structured interviewsorpublished data sets (Cottrell, 2014, p93). It normally processes and analyses thisdata using quantitative analysis techniques like tables,graphsand statistics to explore, present and examine relationships and trends within the data (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2015, p496). Indicate what participants were asked to do, how measurements weretakenand any calculations made to raw data collected. The in-depth discussions led by theinterdisciplinary group of 11 internationally renowned editorial section leadsproject our collective thinking of mixed methods research design into the future across the following six sections: Qualitative methods are good for in-depth analysis of individual people, businesses, organisations, events. Examples: data available via the internet, non-government and government agencies, public libraries, educational institutions, commercial/business informationWinner of the 2020 Most Promising New Textbook Award from the Textbook & Academic Authors Association. Exploring new and novel applications of existing mixed methods research design practices, the handbook provides comprehensive integration guidance while showcasing how design innovations inspire and contribute to investigating previously under-researched social issues and populations. Describe all materials used for the study, including equipment, written materials and testing instruments. Editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides offer complete flexibility for creating a multimedia presentation for the course