What is a mixed-methods research design? Mixed method research, as the name implies, combines both quantitative and qualitative variables to examine a specific or multiple phenomena. While the two quantitative and qualitative schools have been around for centuries, the mixed-method approach is a relatively new phenomenon. Campbell and Fiske (1959) created the concept of combining the two schools of research and articulated:
In order to examine discriminant validity, and in order to estimate the relative contributions of trait and method variance, more than one trait, as well as more than one method, must be employed in the validation process. In many instances, it will be convenient to achieve this through a multitrait-multimethod matrix. (p. 81)
The founders of this concept sought to take research even further by using the best of both research methods. McKim (2017) found, “…studies that use a mixed-methods approach gain a deeper, broader understanding of the phenomenon than studies that do not utilize both a quantitative and qualitative approach” (p. 203). Typically, one qualitative/quantitative article added to the larger mosaic in that field, but the mixed method approach adds more pieces.
While there are undoubtedly limitations to establishing the validity of a mixed-method study, there are plenty of benefits to using this model. As has been established in weeks prior, it is difficult as it is to ensure that a study is valid, reliable, and replicable; it is even more challenging to establish the reliability of a study that uses both research techniques. By using a mixed-method study, the research is surely more complex but more rewarding. Shorten and Smith (2017) suggested, “Mixed methods research draws on potential strengths of both qualitative and quantitative methods, allowing researchers to explore diverse perspectives and uncover relationships that exist between the intricate layers of our multifaceted research questions” (p. 74). Research questions in a single qualitative or quantitative study are generally singular and straightforward to answer. At the same time, a mixed-method approach may be able to tackle a broader, more wide-spanning research question.
The strength of the mixed-method approach lies in its ability to answer complex research questions that may take the field of study further than single approaches. The limitation of mixed-method approaches is that they are inherently complicated, time-consuming and may be difficult for a new researcher to do by themself. Researchers attempting to use the mixed method approach should be well versed in both methods before branching out to tackle a mixed-method approach. Mixed method approaches are incredibly valuable in the field of criminal justice. The field is rich in crime statistics but is also full of criminological theories. For example, there is plenty of statistics on recidivism and plenty of theory; thus, a mixed-method would be helpful in making sense of those numbers in tandem with a criminological theory.
References
Campbell, D. T., & Fiske, D. W. (1959). Convergent and discriminant validation by the
multitrait-multimethod matrix. Psychological Bulletin, 56(2), 81–105. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1037/h0046016
McKim, C. A. (2017). The value of mixed methods research: A mixed methods study. Journal of
Mixed Methods Research, 11(2), 202-222.
Shorten, A., & Smith, J. (2017). Mixed methods research: expanding the evidence base.
Evidence-Based Nursing.
Post #2 (VI)
Mixed Methods Research (MMR) is one of the three main research designs in the research designs continuum that integrates quantitative and qualitative designs (Burkholder et al., 2020). It, however, is much more complicated than just combining the other two research designs. To be effectively designed and used, MMR requires careful planning and the use of the best of what both quantitative and qualitative designs have to offer.
When designing a study, the research purpose and questions are the primary drivers of the research methods selected and not the other way around. Burkholder et al. state that “… research purpose and questions determine the choice of design and methods” (2020, p. 114), and as such, there are specific research questions that are best served by MMR. Such questions include those answered by using either qualitative research design or quantitative research design. For such questions, it would make sense to use MMR to draw on the benefits of combining the two research designs. Also, in a case where research questions cannot be adequately addressed by one of the other research designs (Creswell et al., 2011), MMR would offer diverse perspectives, a richer study, and a more comprehensive look at the problem.
One strength of MMR is that it provides for a richer study as it enjoys the advantages of both quantitative and qualitative research design worlds. In so doing, it uses quantitative data to add meaning to qualitative data and vice-versa. Furthermore, the richer study comes from the fact that the researcher is no longer restricted to using a single research method and can effectively address more research questions (Johnson & Onwuegbuzie, 2004). Given that MMR is a much more complex research design, the one limitation is that the research is resource-intensive. Therefore, it ends up being more expensive as it requires additional resources such as time and additional researchers that may be required to complete the study successfully.
Finally, there is room for mixed methods research in public policy and administration. As a discipline, public policy and administration deals on the procedural and policy side of the work and involves decisions that impact organizations and individuals. As such, using mixed methods research provides richer and more robust perspectives that help draw important meanings. It is also important to provide contextual information when framing policies to humanize the work, develop a holistic understanding of the problem, and ensure that an equity lens is applied. Taking advantage of MMR can help accomplish such work.
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.
Creswell, J.W., Klassen, A.C., Plano Clark, V.L., & Smith, K.C. (2011). Best practices for mixed methods research in the health sciences. National Institutes of Health.
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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