1 Developments (last 20 years) Increasing interest in and advocacy for mixed methods Evolving understanding of what is mixed methods research Developing.

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Developments (last 20 years)

Increasing interest in and advocacy for mixed methods

Evolving understanding of what is mixed methods research

Developing designs and innovative techniques

“The emergence of mixed methods as a third methodological movement in the social and behavioral sciences began during the 1980’s.” (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2003: 697)

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Development of NIH guidelines (1999)

- Mentioned severalapproaches for combiningqualitative and quantitative research- Advanced considerations for deciding what model to use (literatureavailable, prior studies, realistic design, expertise)- Suggested to describe each method thoroughly

“Combining qualitative and quantitative methods has gained broad appeal in public health research.” (1999)

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14+ books on mixed methods research have been written since 1988

Books onMixed MethodsResearch

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Editors: John W. Creswell and Abbas TashakkoriManaging Editor: Vicki L.Plano Clark

Email: [email protected]

JournalsDevoted toMixed Methods:FieldworkQuality andQuantityMixed MethodApproaches

A NewJournal

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Conferences

Mixed Methods Conference, Cambridge, England, July 21-24, 2008

Proposed mixed methods conference, Sydney, Australia, 2009

Discipline conferences with mixed methods papers

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Critics (Creswell, 2007) Is there a post-positivist leaning to mixed methods?

Howe, K. R. (2004). A critique of experimentalism. Qualitative Inquiry, 10, 42-61.

Giddings, L. S. (2006). Mixed-methods research: Positivism dressed in drag? Journal of Research in Nursing, 11(3), 195-2003.

Holmes, C. A. (2007). Mixed(up) methods, methodology and interpretive frameworks. Contributed paper for the Mixed Methods Conference, Cambridge, University, July 10-12, 2006.

What are the limits for mixed methods research? Sale, J. E. M., Lohfeld, L. H., Brazil, K. (2002). Revisiting the quantitative-

qualitative debate: Implications for mixed-methods research. Quality and Quantity, 36, 43-53.

Leahey, E. (2007). Convergence and confidentiality? Limits to the implementation of mixed methodology. Social Science Research, 36, 149-158.

Is there a dominant discourse in mixed methods research?• Freshwater, D. (2007). Reading mixed methods research: Contexts for

criticism. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(2), 134-146.

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Mixed methods is not that different from other methods

Collecting data

Analyzing and interpreting data

Identifying a purpose and stating questions

Reporting and evaluating the study

Identifying a research problem

Reviewing the literature

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Mixed Methods within Designs

Ethnography Case Study Research Narrative research Experimental research

Qual ----- Quan Qual----- Quan Qual-----Quan Qual---- Quan

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What is this Method Called?

Multi-method Triangulation Integrated Combined Quantitative and qualitative methods Multi-methodology Mixed methodology Mixed-method Mixed research Mixed methods

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Mixing (How)

Results

Connect data:

Results

Converge data:

Embed the data:

Quan data

Qual data

Qual Quan

Qual Quan

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Mixing – Why?

Validity – to corroborate quan and qual data Offset – offset weaknesses of quan and qual and draw on strengths Completeness – more comprehensive account that qual or quan alone Process – quan provides outcomes; qual, the processes Explanation – qual can explain quan results or vice-versa Unexpected results – surprising results from one, other explains Instrument development – qual employed to design instrument Credibility – both approaches enhance integrity of findings Context – qual provides context; quan provides general. Utility – more useful to practitioners

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Smith & Heshusius, (1986)

“Incompatibility thesis”

“The contention of thispaper is that the claim ofcompatibility, let alone one of synthesis, cannot besustained.” (p. 4)

Purist Stance

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“Single” Paradigm Stance

Pragmatism (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2003) Focus on research question What “works,” consequences Multiple methods – large toolkit

Transformative (Mertens, 2003) Transform lives of underrepresented, marginalized groups Incorporate this focus into all phases of research

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Developing Designs and Innovative Techniques

Notation Typologies Diagrams of procedures Complex evaluation models Reconceptualizing designs Emergence of innovations in procedures

Unusual blends Methodological issues Data analysis techniques Presentation techniques

Key Developments

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Preliminary Design Considerations (Morse, 1991)

Approach Type Purpose Limitations Resolutions

QUAL + quan Simultaneous Enrich description of sample

Qualitative sample

Utilize normative data for comparison of results

QUAL Sequential Test emerging H, determine distribution of phenomenon in population

Qualitative sample

Draw adequate random sample from same population

QUAN + qual Simultaneous To describe part of phenomena that cannot be quantified

Quantitative sample

Select appropriate theoretical sample from random sample

QUAN Sequential To examine unexpected results

Quantitative sample

Select appropriate theoretical sample from random sample

quan

qual

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QUANData & Results

QUANData & Results InterpretationInterpretation

QUALData & Results

QUALData & Results

QUANPre-test Data & Results

QUANPre-test Data & Results

QUANPost-test

Data & Results

QUANPost-test

Data & Results

Intervention

qualProcess

qualProcess

InterpretationInterpretation

Triangulation Design

Embedded Design

Concurrent Mixed Methods Designs

Parsimonious Designs (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2007)

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Sequential Designs Mixed Methods Designs

QUANData & Results

QUANData & Results

InterpretationInterpretation

qualData & Results

qualData & Results

Following up

QUALData & Results

QUALData & Results

quanData & Results

quanData & Results InterpretationInterpretation

Building to

Before-intervention

qual

Before-intervention

qual

QUANIntervention

Trial

QUANIntervention

Trial

After-

intervention qual

After-

intervention qual InterpretationInterpretation

Exploratory Design

Explanatory Design

Sequential Embedded Design

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Example ofA Diagram

Complex Mixed MethodsEvaluation Designs (Nastasi, Hitchcock,Sarkar, Burkholder,Varjas & Jayasena, 2007)

Study of mental healthinterventions for youthin Sri Lanka