Research and mixed methodology

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Mixed Methodology

DEFINITION

Firstly, looking at what the term means is the beginning starting point. Normally, exploratory, constructive, or empirical research systems are single focused; that is, only "one" method is used to explore a topic. Yet, in contrast, the multiple system, which Wiki terms, "Multimethodology, mixed methods research, compatibility thesis, or pragmatist paradigm is an approach to professional research that COMBINES the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data..."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimethodology

* HISTORY

The history of mixed methodology evolved over time with researchers using a wide variety of methods to produce results. Tashakkori & Teddlie (1998) says, "Mixed methods began with the assumption that investigators, in understanding the social and health world, gather evidence based on the nature of the question and theoretical orientation. Social inquiry is targeted toward various sources and many levels that influence a given problem (e.g., policies, organizations, family, individual). Quantitative (mainly deductive) methods are ideal for measuring pervasiveness of "known" phenomena and central patterns of association, including inferences of causality. Qualitative (mainly inductive) methods allow for identification of previously unknown processes, explanations of why and how phenomena occur, and the range of their effects (Pasick et al., 2009). Mixed methods research, then, is more than simply collecting qualitative data from interviews, or collecting multiple forms of qualitative evidence (e.g., observations and interviews) or multiple types of quantitative evidence (e.g., surveys and diagnostic tests). It involves the intentional collection of both quantitative and qualitative data and the combination of the strengths of each to answer research questions."

Source: Abbas Tashakkori, Charles Teddlie (1998) Mixed Methodology: Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches

According to the US Government's National Institute for Health, "mixed methods research is defined as a [qualitative + quantitative] research approach or methodology [that]:

- Focus[es] on research questions that call for real-life contextual understandings, multi-level perspectives, and cultural influences;
- Employ[s] rigorous quantitative research assessing magnitude and frequency of constructs and rigorous qualitative research exploring the meaning and understanding of constructs;
- Utiliz[es] multiple methods (e.g., intervention trials and in-depth interviews);
- Intentionally integrat[es] or combining these methods to draw on the strengths of each; and
- Fram[es] the investigation within philosophical and theoretical positions."

Source: US Government's National Institute for Health (NIH): http://obssr.od.nih.gov/scientific_areas/methodology/mixed_methods_research/section2.aspx

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