Bryman Chapter 27: Mixed method research: combining quanttatte and qualitatte research
Mixed method research: research that combines quanttatte and qualitatte data within a
single project
The argument against mixed method research
Research methods are ted to epistemological commitments
Quanttatte and qualitatte research are separate paradigms: integraton of diferent
methods only happen at a superfcial letel since they are ted to epistemological and
ontological positons
Two tersions of the debate about quanttatte and qualitatte research
Epistemological tersion; see pretious arguments
Technical tersion: emphasis on strengths of each method and the adtantages of connectng
two or more methods
Classifying mixed methods research in terms of priority and sequence
Priority and sequence
How far is a qualitatte or quanttatte method the principal tool for data collecton
do they hate equal weight?
Which method precedes which? (So which one is used frstt
9 possible types (see Book pg. 638t
Types of mixed methods design
There are four basic mixed methods designs
1. Contergent parallel design: simultaneous collecton of quanttatte and qualitatte
data; the results are then compared or merged
2. Exploratory sequental design: Collecton of qualitatte data before the collecton of
quanttatte data
3. Explanatory sequental design: collecton of quanttatte data prior to the collecton
of qualitatte data, mostly to explain quanttatte fndings
4. Embedded design: either quanttatte or qualitatte methods are prioritsed, but the
other approach is used as well within the study
Approaches to mixed methods research
Analysing of journal artcles that used mixed methods by coding the diferent approaches
used and then etaluatng it according to diferent quality criteria
Ratonale: reasons giten by authors for using mixed methods research:
Triangulation: Results of one research strategy are cross checked with the results of another
strategy to reach greater talidity
Offset: Weaknesses of each approach can be ofset by including the other approach
Completeness: A more complete answer to a research queston can be reached if both
quanttatte and qualitatte methods are included in the data collecton and analysis
Process: The process associated with a qualitatte approach can be combined with the
statcs of a quanttatte approach
Different researc questions: A research might ask seteral diferent questons that each
need to be approached with either quanttatte or qualitatte data
Explanation: Explanaton of relatonships between tariables can be improted by adding
qualitatte research
Unexpected results: In case of a surprising result a second approach to the research
queston can help to clarify things or explain the results
Instrument development: E.g. The detelopment of surteys by asking potental partcipants
for appropriate terms or common defnitons
Sampling: Quanttatte research can determine people that can partcipate in a qualitatte
study
Credibility: The use of mixed methods can improte the credibility signifcantly
Context: Use of a qualitatte study to understand quanttatte fndings
Illustration: Qualitatte fndings can be illustrated; e.g. by the use of tignetes
Mixed method research: research that combines quanttatte and qualitatte data within a
single project
The argument against mixed method research
Research methods are ted to epistemological commitments
Quanttatte and qualitatte research are separate paradigms: integraton of diferent
methods only happen at a superfcial letel since they are ted to epistemological and
ontological positons
Two tersions of the debate about quanttatte and qualitatte research
Epistemological tersion; see pretious arguments
Technical tersion: emphasis on strengths of each method and the adtantages of connectng
two or more methods
Classifying mixed methods research in terms of priority and sequence
Priority and sequence
How far is a qualitatte or quanttatte method the principal tool for data collecton
do they hate equal weight?
Which method precedes which? (So which one is used frstt
9 possible types (see Book pg. 638t
Types of mixed methods design
There are four basic mixed methods designs
1. Contergent parallel design: simultaneous collecton of quanttatte and qualitatte
data; the results are then compared or merged
2. Exploratory sequental design: Collecton of qualitatte data before the collecton of
quanttatte data
3. Explanatory sequental design: collecton of quanttatte data prior to the collecton
of qualitatte data, mostly to explain quanttatte fndings
4. Embedded design: either quanttatte or qualitatte methods are prioritsed, but the
other approach is used as well within the study
Approaches to mixed methods research
Analysing of journal artcles that used mixed methods by coding the diferent approaches
used and then etaluatng it according to diferent quality criteria
Ratonale: reasons giten by authors for using mixed methods research:
Triangulation: Results of one research strategy are cross checked with the results of another
strategy to reach greater talidity
Offset: Weaknesses of each approach can be ofset by including the other approach
Completeness: A more complete answer to a research queston can be reached if both
quanttatte and qualitatte methods are included in the data collecton and analysis
Process: The process associated with a qualitatte approach can be combined with the
statcs of a quanttatte approach
Different researc questions: A research might ask seteral diferent questons that each
need to be approached with either quanttatte or qualitatte data
Explanation: Explanaton of relatonships between tariables can be improted by adding
qualitatte research
Unexpected results: In case of a surprising result a second approach to the research
queston can help to clarify things or explain the results
Instrument development: E.g. The detelopment of surteys by asking potental partcipants
for appropriate terms or common defnitons
Sampling: Quanttatte research can determine people that can partcipate in a qualitatte
study
Credibility: The use of mixed methods can improte the credibility signifcantly
Context: Use of a qualitatte study to understand quanttatte fndings
Illustration: Qualitatte fndings can be illustrated; e.g. by the use of tignetes
