W8 ISR Mixed Methods Research
What is mixed methods approach?
[Mixed method research] employs strategies of inquiry that involve collecting data either
simultaneously/sequentially to best understand research problems.
The data collection also involves gathering both numeric information (e.g. on
instruments)
As well as text information (e.g. on interviews) so that the final database represents
both quantitative & qualitative information
o (Creswell 2003: 20 cited in Maruna 2010: 125)
1. The combination of different types of research within a single project
a. A willingness to combine methods from different paradigms – from different
traditions of research
b. In many cases this means mixing qualitative & quantitative components,
either methods, data or research
2. A preference for viewing research problems from a variety of perspectives
a. A commitment to viewing things from different angles
b. Instead of relying on findings from a single method, this approach values
using multiple sources
c. Benefits of being able to use triangulation
3. The choice of methods based on ‘what works best’ for tackling a specific problem
a. This approach is problem driven. Centres the research problem
b. Focuses on how useful a particular method is for the specific research
problem
c. Pragmatic
Sequential Designs
SD are those in which the analysis of one type of data provides a basis for another
type of data
Often an exploratory qualitative investigation with a quantitative examination of the
hypotheses generated
Examples:
o Mayring (2007) study of ‘coolness’ among adolescents
o Maruna and King (2004) study of public opinion regarding criminal justice
issues in England
Hybrid Model
Combination of methodological approaches at different stages of the research
process for a single study
Often the quantification of qualitative data –
so, begins with qualitative data collection (ethnography, interviews, analysis of
documents)
and then analyse the data both qualitatively & quantitatively simultaneously
Examples:
, o Maruna (2001) study into self-narratives of former prisoners. Took life
histories of ex-prisoners asking about desistance & then analysed the results
using computer assisted tools to quantify the coding
Systematic Social Observation
A variety of qual-quant hybridization is the practice of the systematic social
observation
Combines data collection method of ethnographic observation of field sites with
quantitative data analysis through content coding similar to content analysis (counts,
percentages, frequencies of various occurrences)
Examples:
o Weisburd et al. (2006) – study on crime displacement
o Blanck et al. (1987) – examination of judges influences over juror decision
making
10 basic design options for mixed methods research (Denscombe, 2017)
What is mixed methods approach?
[Mixed method research] employs strategies of inquiry that involve collecting data either
simultaneously/sequentially to best understand research problems.
The data collection also involves gathering both numeric information (e.g. on
instruments)
As well as text information (e.g. on interviews) so that the final database represents
both quantitative & qualitative information
o (Creswell 2003: 20 cited in Maruna 2010: 125)
1. The combination of different types of research within a single project
a. A willingness to combine methods from different paradigms – from different
traditions of research
b. In many cases this means mixing qualitative & quantitative components,
either methods, data or research
2. A preference for viewing research problems from a variety of perspectives
a. A commitment to viewing things from different angles
b. Instead of relying on findings from a single method, this approach values
using multiple sources
c. Benefits of being able to use triangulation
3. The choice of methods based on ‘what works best’ for tackling a specific problem
a. This approach is problem driven. Centres the research problem
b. Focuses on how useful a particular method is for the specific research
problem
c. Pragmatic
Sequential Designs
SD are those in which the analysis of one type of data provides a basis for another
type of data
Often an exploratory qualitative investigation with a quantitative examination of the
hypotheses generated
Examples:
o Mayring (2007) study of ‘coolness’ among adolescents
o Maruna and King (2004) study of public opinion regarding criminal justice
issues in England
Hybrid Model
Combination of methodological approaches at different stages of the research
process for a single study
Often the quantification of qualitative data –
so, begins with qualitative data collection (ethnography, interviews, analysis of
documents)
and then analyse the data both qualitatively & quantitatively simultaneously
Examples:
, o Maruna (2001) study into self-narratives of former prisoners. Took life
histories of ex-prisoners asking about desistance & then analysed the results
using computer assisted tools to quantify the coding
Systematic Social Observation
A variety of qual-quant hybridization is the practice of the systematic social
observation
Combines data collection method of ethnographic observation of field sites with
quantitative data analysis through content coding similar to content analysis (counts,
percentages, frequencies of various occurrences)
Examples:
o Weisburd et al. (2006) – study on crime displacement
o Blanck et al. (1987) – examination of judges influences over juror decision
making
10 basic design options for mixed methods research (Denscombe, 2017)
