A mixed methods research design can be an ideal technique to obtain complex interventions. Therefore research findings can be validated by putting together qualitative and quantitative data sources. It involves collecting both types of data at the same time and then comparing them. Both types of data can, therefore, validate each other and create a firm foundation for concluding. Through mixed research design, qualitative data obtained can be used to explore the quantitative findings ( Burkholder, Cox, & Crawford, 2016). This way, qualitative data explain in more detail the quantitative results.
A strong mixed methods study starts with a substantial mixed methods research question or objective. Therefore when a research explores mixed research questions with interconnected qualitative and quantitative aspects, the conclusions will also include both elements. Mixed methods research can serve integrated research questions best, which are later broken down into separate qualitative and quantitative ones to be answered in different phases of the study ( Collins, & O’cathain, 2009). Questions can be formed as quantitative ones during the quantitative phase and qualitative research questions during a qualitative phase. Developing quantitative and qualitative questions separately, followed by an explicit mixed methods question, can also be worked out by mixed methods research. Through this, the researcher can find out whether the quantitative results and the qualitative findings converge and also be able to create a mixed methods question on how both results explain each other.
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Conducting a quality mixed methods research requires a team of multidiscipline researchers since the methods involved may not be of their expertise. Hence it is challenging to find a qualitative expert who can also comfortably discuss quantitative analyses. Mixed methods design collects rich and comprehensive data by integrating qualitative and quantitative data, thus being flexible and adaptable. A qualitative or quantitative approach on its own may bear some weaknesses ( Johnson & Onwuegbuzie, 2004). The flaws can be overcome by using both approaches to conduct a study. For instance, in psychological research, the mixed methods research approach would allow a researcher to use both qualitative and quantitative approaches to understand a phenomenon. The quantitative data would provide evidence for the qualitative research findings, thus validating a theory.
References
Burkholder, G. J., Cox, K. A., & Crawford, L. M. (2016). The scholar-practitioner’s guide to research design. Baltimore, MD: Laureate Publishing.
Collins, K. M., & O’cathain, A. (2009). Introduction: Ten points about mixed methods research to be considered by the novice researcher. International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches, 3(1), 2-7.
Johnson, R. B., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Mixed methods research: A research paradigm whose time has come. Educational researcher, 33(7), 14-26.
