Mixed Method Research

This refers to the ways in which qualitative and quantitative research activities are brought together to achieve greater insight. Mixed methods is not simply having quantitative and qualitative data available or analyzing and presenting data findings separately. The integration process can occur during data collection, analysis, or in the presentation of results.

When to use mixed methods research

Mixed methods research may be the right choice if your research process suggests that quantitative or qualitative data alone will not sufficiently answer your research question. 

·       When the research question requires a more comprehensive understanding than can be achieved by using only quantitative or qualitative methods.

·       When the research question requires both an exploration of individuals’ experiences, perspectives, and attitudes, as well as the measurement of objective outcomes and variables.

 

 

Advantages ;

Combining the two types of data means you benefit from both the detailed, contextualized insights of qualitative data and the generalizable, externally valid insights of quantitative data. The strengths of one type of data often mitigate the weaknesses of the other.

 

Disadvantages:

Workload

Mixed methods research is very labor-intensive. Collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing two types of data into one research product takes a lot of time and effort, and often involves interdisciplinary teams of researchers rather than individuals. For this reason, mixed methods research has the potential to cost much more than standalone studies.

Mixed methods research is particularly useful when the research problem is complex and requires a deep understanding of the context and subjective experiences of participants, as well as the ability to generalize findings to a larger population. By combining both qualitative and quantitative methods, researchers can obtain a more complete picture of the research problem and its underlying mechanisms, as well as test hypotheses and identify patterns that may not be apparent with only one method.