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MIXED METHODS:
QUANTITATIVE &
QUALITATIVE WH Research Training Workshop
2015
Paul Bennett
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What I’m gunna talk about
What are mixed methods?
When should mixed methods be used?
What are the advantages/limitations?
When is the use of mixed methods justified?
What are some examples of using mixed methods?
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Who are you?
Who are quant researchers?
Who are qual researchers?
Who are both?
Who are neither?
Who came here to learn more about mixed
methods?
Who came because they thought they could
sit down and not think for 1 hour?
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Source: JStor Data For Research
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What is mixed methods
Establishes design in advance
Explicitly lays out a thoughtful, strategic
integration of qualitative and quantitative
methods
Accomplishes a critical purpose that either
qualitative or quantitative methods alone could
not
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Johnson, R. B., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Turner, L. A. (2007).
Toward a definition of mixed
methods research. Journal of mixed methods research, 1(2),
112-133.
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Quantitative paradigm
Philosophical basis = POSITIVISM
The four key features of positivism:
objectivity
‘only what can be counted,
counts’
all people are similar and react in
the same ways to stimuli
there is an absolute truth that
can be measured
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Objectivity
Only that which can be directly observed
and tested is real
Subjective phenomena difficult to reliably
measure
The ‘truth’ is established by applying
logical principles and reasoning.
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Positivism assumptions regarding
human behaviour
Humans are viewed as identical
closed systems
No place for cultural interpretations,
technological disturbances
The world is static
All humans will react in the same
way to external stimuli
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Absolute truth exists
The absolute truth is derived deductively
from existing knowledge
For every effect there exists a cause
and the cause can be measured.
Assumes objective tools for
measurement exist
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Quantitative research design
Non-experimental
Exploratory
Surveys
Descriptive statistics
Experimental
Effectiveness, Predictive
Establishes cause and effect
Clinical trials
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Qualitative paradigm
Interpretivism
Human experience is understood by each individual
Focuses on how the social world is interpreted, understood
&
experienced
Multiple realities, no absolute truth
Dependent on subjectivity – of both researcher and
participant
Constructivism
Reality is constructed incrementally through experiences,
language
and concepts
Understanding is organized by clustering ideas
Naturalism
The setting is central
Meaning relates to a specific context
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Qualitative
methods
Phenomenology
Grounded theory
Ethnography
Narrative research
Case studies
Action research
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Parallel relationships with quantitative
methods
Criteria - Qual Parallel - Quant
Credibility Internal validity
Audibility/dependability Reliability
Fittingness/transferability External validity
Confirmability Objectivity
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Why would use a mixed method
approach?
To develop a more comprehensive understanding
To develop a broader understanding
To gain more certainty in the results
To enhance flexibility and creativity to a study
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Mixed methods: types, categories and
combinations
Combination Rationale
Sequential
Qualitative Quantitative
Finding from a qualitative approach lead to the use of a
quantitative investigation
Quantitative Qualitative
Finding from a quantitative approach lead to the use of a
qualitative investigation
Simultaneous
Qualitative + Quantitative Qualitative foundation and
quantitative methods provide complementary information
Quantitative + Qualitative Quantitative foundation and
qualitative methods provide complementary information
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Triangulation
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The value of mixed methods research
Potentially enhances a more holistic understanding
Provides information that is rich and more
comprehensive
Understanding phenomena from more than one
viewpoint
Offers a broader understanding
Gain insights that may not be possible with one
approach
Weaknesses of one approach can be
counterbalanced by the strengths in the other
approach
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The value of mixed
methods research
May improve confidence in research findings
Enhance reliability by using two or more methods
Reduce sample bias
Enhance flexibility and creativity
More responsive in nature
Able to explore emergent themes
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Limitations of mixed methods
Requires knowledge and skills
Training is expensive
Potential damage to integrity of the research
Risk associated with outcomes being harder to predict
Evaluating mixed methods studies
Lack of criteria to guide researchers in triangulation
Emerging processes
Publication bias
Purists
Qualitative vs Quantitative paradigm
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When is the use of mixed methods
justified?
When it best answers the research question
When a rationale for use is present
When use will provide valuable insights
When the reach of the finding to a wider audience is
enhanced
When there is the relevant expertise in the team
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Example 1 - Sequential
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Triangulation – Home Dialysis Barriers
Delphi Technique Survey
Barriers Instrument
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What I hope I said…
What are mixed methods?
When should mixed methods be used?
What are the advantages/limitations?
When is the use of mixed methods justified?
What are some examples of using mixed methods?
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Thank you for
listening
[email protected]
[email protected]
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References
Creswell, J.W (2009). Research Design: Qualitative,
Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (3rd ed.).
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Hayes, B., Bonner, A., and Douglas, C. (2013). An
introduction
to mixed methods research for nephrology nurses. Renal
Society Of Australasia Journal, 9(1), 8-14.
Johnson, R. B., Onwuegbuzie, A. and Turner, L. A
(2007).Towards a
definition of mixed methods research. Journal of Mixed
Methods
Research, 1(2), 112-133.
Ross. T (2012). A Survival Guide for Health Research
Methods.
McGraw-Hill Open University Press: New York.
Schneider, Z., Whiehead, D., Elliort D., Lobiondo-Wood, G.
and
Haber. J (2009). Nursing and Midwifery Research (3rd ed.).
Sydney: Mosby Elsevier.
