Chapter 10 Flashcards - Mixed Methods Research Design

Question 1

Sequential mixed methods designs require two distinct phases

Answer 1

1. Data collected in the first phase in analyzed
2. Results are used to inform second phase

Question 2

What guides the data collection sequence in sequential designs?

Answer 2

RQ and Purpose tells you whether quantitative or qualitative is implemented first

Question 3

What is explanatory sequential design?

Answer 3

If sequential is gathering data in the first phase and analyzing it to then use that to inform second phase then…

Quantitative data collected in first phase and qualitative data collected in second phase

Question 4

Purpose of explanatory sequential design?

Answer 4

Interpret the initial QN data using the QL data

• Analyzing the data for QN allows the researcher to think of how to better generate data for QL phase

Question 5

Example of explanatory sequential design?

Answer 5

E.g. collecting QN numerical data in the first phase, analyzing the quantitative

Following up with qualitative data generation (one-on-one interviews)

Question 6

Strengths of explanatory sequential design

Answer 6

Appeals more to QN researchers because more tailored towards them
* Allows emergence - since first phase informs the 2nd phase

Question 7

Limitations of explanatory sequential design?

Answer 7

• Time consuming - doing 2 phases separately at two different times
• Ethics approval is challenging to get permission for both phases

Question 8

What is the exploratory sequential phase

Answer 8

Starts with QL data and analysis, then uses that to inform the QN phase

Question 9

Purpose of exploratory sequential phase?

Answer 9

Use the QN phase to build on the results of the initial phase (QL)

• Also measurement development is a purpose of exploratory sequential design

Question 10

How is the instrument made in the exploratory sequential design

Answer 10

• Strong instruments (surveys, questionnaires) made with specific sample of populations (in the initial QL phase)
• Strong instruments then used with larger sample (QN phase)

Question 11

In exploratory sequential designs, are the same participants used for both phases?

Answer 11

Uses different participants from the same population for the QN and QL phase. Hardly see one participant in both the QN and QL phase

Question 12

Strengths of exploratory

Answer 12

Straightforward and easy to implement
* End up with product, an instrument (survery, questionnaire)

Question 13

Limitations of exploratory

Answer 13

• Time consuming doing two phases separately
• Ethics approval

Question 14

Benefits of Mixed Methods Research

Answer 14

• Neutralizing weakness of both methods if done in isolation
• Triangulation - multiple data sources used for validity
• Instrument developing and testing - getting something like a survey to use in the field
• Assisting sampling - QN methods employed, assist with purposeful sampling in QL phase
• Enhancing generalization

Question 15

Challenges of Mixed Methods: Blending philosophical worldviews

Answer 15

• Blending philosophical views - some researchers may have bias towards one approach but must encourage them to mesh or link data from diff. approaches

Question 16

Challenges of Mixed Methods: Time, Effort, Resources

Answer 16

Generating a RQ => Planning the most appropriate research design => obtaining ethics approval + other required approvals => requiring participants, etc.

• All this takes a lot of time
• Mixed methods requires double the amount of time

Question 17

Challenges of Mixed Methods: Sampling Decisions

Answer 17

• Should not make unnecessary data collection as it can be unethical to participants because putting burden on them
• Sampling strategies need to be appropriate, meaningful, and ethical

Question 18

Challenges of Mixed Methods: Analysis Design

Answer 18

Integrating findings is challenging if there are divergent conclusions

Positive reporting bias: selective reveal or suppression of info
Dismissing conflicting findings: May reveal holistic and complex nature of findings

Question 19

What did the in text example illustrate about analysis decision

Answer 19

QN data said that there was no relationship between women’s physical activity & psychological well being

QL data contradicted saying being physically active contributed to women’s well-being

Question 20

Challenges of Mixed Methods: Publication

Answer 20

Often publish in journals but they have page/word limits
* Journals are not conducive to a mixed methods research study

Question 21

Challenges of Mixed Methods: Evaluation

Answer 21

What criteria is appropriate for judging a mixed methods study?

• Separating evaluation where it looks at evaluating criteria for qualitative and then evaluating criteria for quantitative
• This can be done if each component is discrete