Mixed method research is a relatively new approach, which shares certain characteristics of the qualitative, “interview, observation, document, and audiovisual data” (Creswell, 2014, p. 17) and the quantitative, “performance, attitude, observational, and census data” (Creswell, 2014, p. 17) research approaches. The idea is that by integrating these two approaches, researchers
are able to get a more comprehensive picture of the issues in question (Creswell, 2014, p. 4).
are able to get a more comprehensive picture of the issues in question (Creswell, 2014, p. 4).
There are six mixed method designs that researchers can use.
The three basic designs are:
- convergent parallel mixed method – the researcher analyzes the data from the qualitative and the quantitative data separately and then compares the results at the end to see if the one supports or does not support the other (Creswell, 2014, p. 219)
- explanatory sequential mixed method – the researcher starts with quantitative data and then follows up with qualitative data prior to analyzing the results (Creswell, 2014, p. 220)
- exploratory sequential mixed methods – the researcher starts with an analysis of the qualitative data, which builds up to a quantitative data analysis prior to a final data interpretation (Creswell, 2014, p. 220)
The three advanced method designs that combine elements from the three basic designs are (Creswell, 2014, p. 231):- embedded mixed method –incorporates one or two forms of data, either qualitative, quantitative, or both, within a larger design, i.e. an experiment (Creswell, 2014, p. 228)
- transformative mixed method – this method uses elements of the basic design approaches within a social justice framework, in an effort to help a particular group (Creswell, 2014, p. 228)
- multiphase mixed method –researchers use various mixed methods during multiple projects that share a common objective (Creswell, 2014, p. 228)