8010 WEEK 9
Candyy31
Week9response.docx1
Crystal Courtner
Discussion: Designing Mixed Methods Research
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Mixed Methods Research
According to Burkholder et al. (2020), “Mixed methods research stated simply is the integration of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis to answer specific research questions.” Although this seems simple, mixed method research is very complex. Failing to understand the complexity and rigor of mixed methods research will lead to poorly designed studies. However, if it is systematically planned and conducted, mixed methods research will enhance the understanding of phenomena in ways that extend beyond the use of qualitative or quantitative designs alone. Johnson & Onwuegbuzie (2004) note that the goals of the mixed methods research is to maximize the strengths and minimize the weaknesses of both quantitative and qualitative research.
Research Questions Best Served by Mixed Methods
According to Collins & O’Cathain (2009) , the best types of questions served by mixed methods research are “questions ‘concerned with the unknown aspects of a phenomena and are answered with information that is presented in both narrative and numerical forms.” They suggest having one overarching mixed methods question that can be extended into qualitative and quantitative sub-questions because it will provide a “justification for mixing and guide the novice researcher’s processes of mixing methods and integrating findings” (2009). Additionally, they advocate “separate quantitative and qualitative questions, followed by development of a mixed methods question framing integration of the findings from both phases of the study” (2009).
Strength and Limitation
Then, explain one strength and one limitation of mixed methods research.
Mixed methods research can be strong because it combines the strengths and minimizes the weaknesses of both qualitative and quantitative studies. While there is great strength in combining both quantitative and qualitative methods, there are limitations. First, it takes a lot of expertise and work to successfully combine both methods. Next, comparing the data of two different forms may be difficult. Last, discrepancies will occur and it may not be possible to resolve them when comparing results.
Rationale For the Utility of Mixed Methods Research
In educational technology, I would like to research how to make distance learning meaningful for elementary students. Regarding this particular purpose, I am for the utility of mixed methods research because I think I can benefit from qualitative and quantitative data. I would interview students, parents, faculty, and administrators for qualitative responses. Additionally, I would analyze and compare test scores before and after distance learning. By using both qualitative and quantitative methods, I would come to a conclusion, hopefully with data that supports each other from both methods.
References
Burkholder, G. J., Cox, K. A., Crawford, L. M., & Hitchcock, J. H. (Eds.). (2020). Research designs and methods: An applied guide for the scholar-practitioner. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
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Catherine Wolpert
Mixed Method Research
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· To what extent is mixed methods research simply taking a quantitative design and a qualitative design and putting them together?”
Reading the resources allowed a deeper insight into the complete "war" (Johnson and Onwuegbuzie 2004) in the field of research around mixed methods. The authors definitely take readers through concepts to enhance mixed method research as it is more than just merging the two. The authors also believe that in defining what this really is, an eight step process, leading to superior research. ( (Johnson and Onwuegbuzie 2004). As a lay person, just embarking on this educational journey, this study brought some hope and understanding of the purist views and the enhancement that comes with a deeper, richer application of both.
· Explain the types of research questions best served by mixed methods research.
The authors further explain the complexity of research in this era. Furthering their support of mixed method research as a compliment to the other ( Johnson and Onwuegbuzie 2004). The types of research questions that enhance this type of method are research-question- research method, or a cycle of sorts (Johnson and Onwuegbuzie 2004). Many questions with varied answers give the researcher broad scopes within which to work with rich research solutions ( Johnson and Onwuegbuzie 2004)
· Explain one strength and one limitation of mixed methods research.
One strength, as noted by the authors in the weekly resources is that it is the "third wave" or the new era of research that can provide or add a richness to research studies ( Johnson and Onwuegbuzie 2004). Clearly, a limitiation of this type of research would be that it could be cumbersome, costly and more difficult to execute as it would maybe use different types of data, samplings and require more cost and time (Burkholder et al 2020).
· Provide a rationale for or against the utility of mixed methods research in your discipline.
This type of research would add depth to my study. I had a dream of doing a study that would go into the prison system and ask four questions to all inmates. I would then take that data and utilize it to impact early learning. However, I believe using a mixed method it could impact so many more areas. That isn't my current study, it is my dream but I would most definitely appreciate the depth of a mixed method study. I do not believe I have the resources nor the time to apply this to fidelity.
References
Burkholder, G. J., Cox, K. A., Crawford, L. M., & Hitchcock, J. H. (Eds.). (2020). Research designs and methods: An applied guide for the scholar-practitioner. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Johnson, R B., Onwuegbuzie, A.J (2004) Mixed methods research; A research paradigm whose time has come. Educational Researcher, 33(7). 14-26.
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