Generally, research may be quantitative or qualitative. Nonetheless, the usage of the two methods at the same time is common -- the mixed methods approach. Indeed, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches overcomes the limitations inherent in each approach, resulting in a better understanding of the research problem (Creswell & Clark, 2011). This paper identifies the major components of mixed methods research design and the strengths and weaknesses of the design. The paper also examines the relevance of the design to criminal justice agencies.The mixed methods design has a number of components. The first step is to define the design (Creswell, 2014). This is particularly important as the design is quite new in research revolving around social and human disciplines. Defining the design gives the reader a comprehensive understanding of the core attributes associated with the design. This entails describing the collection, analysis, and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data. It also involves describing the timing of data collection as well as the theory and philosophical worldview underlying the above procedures.
The next step involves educating the reader about other terms that may be used in place of mixed methods. These include mixed methodology, multi-method, and quantitative and qualitative methods (Creswell, 2014). It is also important to familiarise the reader with the history of the mixed methods design. According to Creswell (2014), the mixed methods design gained popularity towards the end of the 1980s, with researchers attempting to overcome the weaknesses presented by single-method designs. Since then, the design has undergone significant development, evaluation, and philosophical analysis, and has been used in diverse fields such as education, social sciences, and health sciences.
Following a brief description of the design and its historical background, the next step involves providing a justification for the choice of the design (Creswell,...
Mixed Method Designs � Compare and ContrastFrom the onset, it would be prudent to note that in a convergent parallel design, the researcher partakes in the collection as well as analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data within a similar timeframe or within the very same research process phase (Creswell and Clark, 2011). On the other hand, exploratory sequential design features several phases which are inclusive of; the collection and
Discussion: Designing Mixed Methods Research Mixed methods research is more than simply taking a quantitative design and a qualitative design and putting them together. The methods should complement one another and be relevant to the subject that is being studied. For example, a researcher who wants to conduct exploratory research would benefit more from using a qualitative design than a mixed methods design, as the latter could potentially drain resources that
Mixed Methods Study The comparison of the administrative procedures of five traditional and five non-traditional colleges of Education in religious studies. All institutions have to be accredited via a national agency and be part of interactive online courses in conjunction with computer-based technologies. This study will compare the differing forms of administrative procedures and their impact and manifestation on training, instructional support, additional compensation, teaching loads and the beneficial and negative influences
The author used open and then axial coding so that a larger image of the environmental issues would emerge from the data. Secondly, Torres analyzed the quantitative data by developing a model that reconfigured Nora et al.'s previously used scales. The data was tested by using "latent variable structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess the data-model fit" (302) to examine the causal influences on why students stayed or did
Mixed Methods Study Design What's Wrong with Mixed Methodology Morris and Burkett (2011) witnessed the relatively recent emergence of what has been called "mixed methods" research. A study using a mixed methods design would meet both quantitative and qualitative evaluative criteria. From the author's perspective and that of others cited in their publication, quantitative and qualitative research designs are effectively mutually exclusive. The only concession that Morris and Burkett (2011) seemed to
Although more time consuming and costly, mixed-methods research can also be more fruitful than either qualitative or quantitative methods alone. Mixed methods combine qualitative and quantitative in ways that are suitable for answering a complex set of research questions. Because the researcher can use more than one research design in the same study, mixed methods can “answer a broader range of research questions,” (Center for Innovation for Research and Teaching,
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