Chapter 12
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Designs combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting data
Advantages Incorporates the strengths of both qualitative and
quantitative approaches Provides a more comprehensive view of the phenomena
being studied Does not limit the data being collected
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Disadvantages and limitations Requires expertise in both methods Requires extensive data collection and
resources It is popular to claim the use of mixed
method design even though one method is used superficially
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Three types of designs Explanatory Exploratory Triangulation
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Explanatory designs Quantitative data are collected first with qualitative data
collection following Use of a questionnaire to provide an overview of
students’ attitudes toward drug testing programs followed by several in-depth interviews of specific students with positive and negative attitudes (i.e., maximum variation sampling) to understand how those attitudes were shaped.
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Exploratory designs Qualitative data are collected first with quantitative data
collection following A few interviews with students and a content analysis of
several surveys allowed a researcher to determine the important factors around which an attitudinal scale on drug testing programs was developed. Administration of this survey gave an overall view of students’ attitudes to a specific program being used at a local school.
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Triangulation designs Quantitative and qualitative data are
collected at the same time to provide a more comprehensive and complete set of data
The use of a scale addressing attitudes toward drug testing programs could be administered to the students in a school. Information from focus groups and interviews could be used to confirm the conclusions drawn from the survey.
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Seven steps to conduct mixed method research Determine the feasibility of a mixed method design Determine the rationale for a mixed method design Determine the data collection strategies and designs Determine the specific research questions Collect data Analyze data Write the report
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Evaluating a mixed method design Each approach has been done well Examine the rationale and then apply
appropriate quantitative or qualitative criteria
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A systematic investigation conducted by practitioners
Action research is done to provide information immediately to improve teaching and learning
Emphasis is on teachers, counselors and administrators, who carry out the research
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Benefits of Action Research Creates mindset for school improvement Enhances decision-making Promotes reflection and self-assessment Instills a commitment to improvement Creates a more positive school climate Impacts practice directly Empowers those to participate
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Conducting Action Research Select a focus or topic for study Determine your design and data
collection strategies Summarize and interpret the data
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Consumer Tips for Evaluating Action Research Determine motivation and involvement
of the researcher Look for consistency between research
question and methodology Look for whether multiple methods of
data collection have been utilized
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Consumer Tips for Evaluating Action Research Confirm that there has been an
emergent, cyclical process of research-action-reflection
Determine the presence of external monitoring or feedback
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