Mixed methods design and analysis

‘Mixed methods’ is used as a generic term to describe research in which more than one approach is taken to answering the question/s asked in a particular study, resulting in the combination of multiple elements of design, types of data, and/or analysis strategies. This approach, commonly identified as a third major movement in methodology, is widely regarded to have ‘come of age’ after years of debate about paradigmatic and methodological concerns. Strategies for implementation, and in particular for integrated analysis of data, are however, still in their infancy. This program is designed to assist in the development of researchers’ awareness and skills with regard to mixed methods possibilities, issues and strategies.

o Review of the history and foundations of mixed methods research.

o Design strategies and issues.

o Integration and analysis of data in mixed methods research.

o Drawing conclusions and presenting results for varied stakeholders.

Training is conducted via facilitated small group discussion, focusing on the needs of the group, or consultation is provided on an individual basis.

Mixed methods analysis using NVivo in combination with a statistics program

Advances in computer software have made it possible to integrate qualitative and quantitative data in innovative ways. Such integration allows the researcher to ask new questions of the data, to confirm patterns within the data, to explore the clustering of concepts in the data, or perhaps to build a predictive model.

Possibilities and techniques will be explained in detail and explored in hands-on mode, with participants using their own data or drawing on a number of examples from my research, using NVivo in combination with a statistics program (mostly SPSS):

o Methods and benefits of incorporating quantitative information into a qualitative data analysis.

o Types of quantitative output that can be generated from a qualitative data set; how to capture information obtained from an unstructured data source for use in a quantitative analysis.

o Methods for efficiently managing and exploring responses to open-ended survey questions or the additional comments on a quantitative survey, as an integral component of the analysis of that survey.

o Iterative use of quantitative and qualitative analyses to inform each other, working from the same data.

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