WGU C224 exam | Questions and
Answers | Fall 2026/2027 Update | 100%
Correct | pass!!!
1. determine whether a mixed design is appropriate
2. determine the rationale for using a mixed design
3. select a mixed research design and mixed sampling design
4. collect the data
5. analyze the data
6. continually validate the data *ongoing process*
7. continually interpret the data and findings *ongoing process*
8. write the research report *some preliminary writing of some sections occurs before
the end of a research project
incompatibility thesis -answer-the belief that one most conduct either a qualitative of
quantitative study because the assumptions underlying these two major research
approaches cannot be mixed
compatibility thesis -answer-quantitative and qualitative approaches can be used
together in a single research study as long as researchers respect the assumptions
associated with quantitative and qualitative research and construct a thoughtful
combination that will help to address their research question(s).
pragmatism -answer-what is ultimately important and justified or "valid" is what works
in particular situations in practice and what promotes social justice.
,In mixed methods, it offers a dialectical approach that advocates a dynamic back-and-
forth listening to multiple perspectives and multiple forms of data
ontology (mixed research) -answer-nature of reality/truth
- pluralism
- appreciation of objective
- subjective
- intersubjective realities and their interrelations
epistemology (mixed research) -answer-theory of knowledge
- pragmatism
- pragmatic justification (what works for whom in specific contexts)
- mixture of universal (e.g. always be ethical) and community-specific needs-based
standards
view of thought and behavior (mixed research) -answer-- dynamic
- complex
- partially predictable
- multiple influences include environment/nurture, biology/nature, free will/agency, and
chance/fortuitu
research focus (mixed research) -answer-- multilens focus
time orientation criterion -answer-asks whether quantitative and qualitative data
collection occur concurrently or sequentially
- concurrent time orientation: data are collected for the quantitative phase and
qualitative phase of the study at the same or during approximately the same time period
- sequential time orientation: data obtained from the sample during the first phase of the
study are used to shape or structure the sample selection of the next phase of the study
paradigm/research-approach emphasis -answer-refers to whether the qualitative and
quantitative parts of the study are given approximately equal emphasis or if one part is
considered primary and more strongly emphasized
sample relationship criterion -answer-the sample relationship criterion of the
quantitative and qualitative samples results in for major types:
1. identical
2. parallel
3. nested
4. multilevel
,identical -answer--sample people participate in BOTH quantitative and qualitative
PHASES of investigation
ex. participants complete questionnaire with close-end rating scales and open-ended
questions
parallel -answer-- samples for quantitative and qualitative components are
DIFFERENT but drawn from SAME POPULATION
ex. students of one 4th grade class for quantitative, and students of another 4th grade
class for qualitative phase
nested -answer-- participants selected for one phase REPRESENT A SUBSET of
participants selected for another phase
ex. select a large number of students for quantitative phase, then interview only three
for qualitative phase
multilevel -answer-- using quantitative and qualitative samples obtained from
DIFFERENT LEVELS OF POPULATION on study
ex. for study on reading and attitudes, use students for quantitative phase, and
teachers/parents for qualitative phase
mixed methods sampling designs -answer-based on two criteria:
time orientation (two types)
sample relationship (4 types)
which equals 8 mixed method sampling designs
8 mixed method sampling designs -answer-1. identical concurrent
2. identical sequential
3. parallel concurrent
4. parallel sequential
5. nested concurrent
6. nested sequential
7. multilevel concurrent
8. multilevel sequential
fundamental principle of mixed methods research -answer-thoughtful mixing of
methods, procedures, and other paradigm characteristics is an excellent way to conduct
high-quality research
inter-method mixing -answer-two or more of the methods of data collection are used in
a research study
, ex. standardized TEST data and qualitative INTERVIEW data might be mixed/combined
in a given study
inter = between
intra-method mixing -answer-both quantitative and qualitative data are obtained
through the creative use of a single method of data collection
ex. using a mixed form of just ONE of the six major methods of data collection
*mixed questionnaire - includes both opened-ended (exploratory) questions and
standardized closed-ended items
intra = within
9 types of validity in mixed methods research -answer-1. inside-outside
2. conversion
3. sample integration
4. paradigmatic/philosophical
5. sequential
6. sociopolitical
7. commensurability approximation
8. weakness minimization
9. multiple
inside-outside validity (mixed research) -answer-the degree to which the researcher
accurately understands, uses, and presents the participant's subjective insider (emic)
views and researcher's objective outsider (etic) view
paradigmatic/philosophical validity (mixed research) -answer-the degree to which the
mixed researcher clearly explains his or her philosophical beliefs about research
commensurability approximation validity (mixed research) -answer-the degree to which
meta-inferences made in a mixed research study reflect a mixed worldview
weakness minimization validity (mixed research) -answer-the degree researcher
combines qualitative and quantitative approaches with non-overlapping weaknesses
sequential validity (mixed research) -answer-the degree to which a mixed researcher
appropriately address and/or builds on findings from earlier qualitative and quantitative
phases
conversion validity (mixed research) -answer-the degree to which quantitizing or
qualitizing yields high-quality meta0interences
Answers | Fall 2026/2027 Update | 100%
Correct | pass!!!
1. determine whether a mixed design is appropriate
2. determine the rationale for using a mixed design
3. select a mixed research design and mixed sampling design
4. collect the data
5. analyze the data
6. continually validate the data *ongoing process*
7. continually interpret the data and findings *ongoing process*
8. write the research report *some preliminary writing of some sections occurs before
the end of a research project
incompatibility thesis -answer-the belief that one most conduct either a qualitative of
quantitative study because the assumptions underlying these two major research
approaches cannot be mixed
compatibility thesis -answer-quantitative and qualitative approaches can be used
together in a single research study as long as researchers respect the assumptions
associated with quantitative and qualitative research and construct a thoughtful
combination that will help to address their research question(s).
pragmatism -answer-what is ultimately important and justified or "valid" is what works
in particular situations in practice and what promotes social justice.
,In mixed methods, it offers a dialectical approach that advocates a dynamic back-and-
forth listening to multiple perspectives and multiple forms of data
ontology (mixed research) -answer-nature of reality/truth
- pluralism
- appreciation of objective
- subjective
- intersubjective realities and their interrelations
epistemology (mixed research) -answer-theory of knowledge
- pragmatism
- pragmatic justification (what works for whom in specific contexts)
- mixture of universal (e.g. always be ethical) and community-specific needs-based
standards
view of thought and behavior (mixed research) -answer-- dynamic
- complex
- partially predictable
- multiple influences include environment/nurture, biology/nature, free will/agency, and
chance/fortuitu
research focus (mixed research) -answer-- multilens focus
time orientation criterion -answer-asks whether quantitative and qualitative data
collection occur concurrently or sequentially
- concurrent time orientation: data are collected for the quantitative phase and
qualitative phase of the study at the same or during approximately the same time period
- sequential time orientation: data obtained from the sample during the first phase of the
study are used to shape or structure the sample selection of the next phase of the study
paradigm/research-approach emphasis -answer-refers to whether the qualitative and
quantitative parts of the study are given approximately equal emphasis or if one part is
considered primary and more strongly emphasized
sample relationship criterion -answer-the sample relationship criterion of the
quantitative and qualitative samples results in for major types:
1. identical
2. parallel
3. nested
4. multilevel
,identical -answer--sample people participate in BOTH quantitative and qualitative
PHASES of investigation
ex. participants complete questionnaire with close-end rating scales and open-ended
questions
parallel -answer-- samples for quantitative and qualitative components are
DIFFERENT but drawn from SAME POPULATION
ex. students of one 4th grade class for quantitative, and students of another 4th grade
class for qualitative phase
nested -answer-- participants selected for one phase REPRESENT A SUBSET of
participants selected for another phase
ex. select a large number of students for quantitative phase, then interview only three
for qualitative phase
multilevel -answer-- using quantitative and qualitative samples obtained from
DIFFERENT LEVELS OF POPULATION on study
ex. for study on reading and attitudes, use students for quantitative phase, and
teachers/parents for qualitative phase
mixed methods sampling designs -answer-based on two criteria:
time orientation (two types)
sample relationship (4 types)
which equals 8 mixed method sampling designs
8 mixed method sampling designs -answer-1. identical concurrent
2. identical sequential
3. parallel concurrent
4. parallel sequential
5. nested concurrent
6. nested sequential
7. multilevel concurrent
8. multilevel sequential
fundamental principle of mixed methods research -answer-thoughtful mixing of
methods, procedures, and other paradigm characteristics is an excellent way to conduct
high-quality research
inter-method mixing -answer-two or more of the methods of data collection are used in
a research study
, ex. standardized TEST data and qualitative INTERVIEW data might be mixed/combined
in a given study
inter = between
intra-method mixing -answer-both quantitative and qualitative data are obtained
through the creative use of a single method of data collection
ex. using a mixed form of just ONE of the six major methods of data collection
*mixed questionnaire - includes both opened-ended (exploratory) questions and
standardized closed-ended items
intra = within
9 types of validity in mixed methods research -answer-1. inside-outside
2. conversion
3. sample integration
4. paradigmatic/philosophical
5. sequential
6. sociopolitical
7. commensurability approximation
8. weakness minimization
9. multiple
inside-outside validity (mixed research) -answer-the degree to which the researcher
accurately understands, uses, and presents the participant's subjective insider (emic)
views and researcher's objective outsider (etic) view
paradigmatic/philosophical validity (mixed research) -answer-the degree to which the
mixed researcher clearly explains his or her philosophical beliefs about research
commensurability approximation validity (mixed research) -answer-the degree to which
meta-inferences made in a mixed research study reflect a mixed worldview
weakness minimization validity (mixed research) -answer-the degree researcher
combines qualitative and quantitative approaches with non-overlapping weaknesses
sequential validity (mixed research) -answer-the degree to which a mixed researcher
appropriately address and/or builds on findings from earlier qualitative and quantitative
phases
conversion validity (mixed research) -answer-the degree to which quantitizing or
qualitizing yields high-quality meta0interences
