Methodology
Overview
Mixed Methods Research, Defined
Quantitative Research
Qualitative Research
When to use Mixed Methods Research
Types of Mixed Methods Research Designs
Key Characteristics
Steps in Conducting a Mixed Methods study
Evaluating a Mixed Methods study
Mixed Methods Research, Defined
A mixed methods research design is a procedure for
collecting, analyzing, and “mixing” both quantitative and qualitative research and methods in a single study to understand a research problem.
To utilize this design effectively, you must understand
both quantitative and qualitative research.
Philosophical Approaches
Creswell , J. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research
(4thed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Quantitative Research
A type of educational research in which the research
decides what to study; asks specific, narrow questions, collects quantifiable data from participants (a large number of participants); analyzes these numbers using statistics; and conducts the inquiry in an unbiased, objective manner.
Postpositivism – singular reality; objective; deductive
Quantitative Research (cont’d)
Generally attempts to quantify variables of interest;
questions must be measureable.
Example:
What is the relationship between graduate students’
level of interaction, measured by the number of ‘hits’ in the course, and students’ grades in an online research methods course?
Quantitative Methodology
Generally involves collecting numerical data that can
be subjected to statistical analysis
Examples of data collection methodologies
Performance Tests
Personality Measures
Questionnaires (with closed-ended questions or open-
ended but transferred to quan data)
Content Analysis
The data is generally referred to as “hard” data
Qualitative Research
A type of educational research in which the
Mixed Methods Research, Defined
Quantitative Research
Qualitative Research
When to use Mixed Methods Research
Types of Mixed Methods Research Designs
Key Characteristics
Steps in Conducting a Mixed Methods study
Evaluating a Mixed Methods study
Mixed Methods Research, Defined
A mixed methods research design is a procedure for
collecting, analyzing, and “mixing” both quantitative and qualitative research and methods in a single study to understand a research problem.
To utilize this design effectively, you must understand
both quantitative and qualitative research.
Philosophical Approaches
Creswell , J. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research
(4thed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Quantitative Research
A type of educational research in which the research
decides what to study; asks specific, narrow questions, collects quantifiable data from participants (a large number of participants); analyzes these numbers using statistics; and conducts the inquiry in an unbiased, objective manner.
Postpositivism – singular reality; objective; deductive
Quantitative Research (cont’d)
Generally attempts to quantify variables of interest;
questions must be measureable.
Example:
What is the relationship between graduate students’
level of interaction, measured by the number of ‘hits’ in the course, and students’ grades in an online research methods course?
Quantitative Methodology
Generally involves collecting numerical data that can
be subjected to statistical analysis
Examples of data collection methodologies
Performance Tests
Personality Measures
Questionnaires (with closed-ended questions or open-
ended but transferred to quan data)
Content Analysis
The data is generally referred to as “hard” data
Qualitative Research
A type of educational research in which the