There are a few potentially confusing concepts in research, particularly if you’re using a mixture of qualitative and/or quantitative research approaches! Let’s examine a few.
Mixed Methods research is usually considered as incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
However, some authors include a mix of multiple qualitative methods or a mix of multiple quantitative methods under the mixed methods banner.
Based on Kumar’s (2014) definitions, the Mixed Methods approach is a mixture of methods from both qualitative & quantitative paradigms. This means research using predominantly qualitative methods and a smaller representation of quantitative methods, or research using predominantly quantitative methods and a smaller representation of qualitative methods, or an equal amount of both.
On the other hand, the Multiple Methods approach is a mixture of methods from one paradigm only. This means research using either more than one qualitative method or more than one quantitative method.
Staying with Kumar’s definitions, we have more useful descriptions.
There are three primary types of mixed methods (Creswell & Creswell, 2018):
• Convergent parallel mixed methods is when you use both quantitative and qualitative methods concurrently.
• Explanatory sequential mixed methods is when you first conduct quantitative research, analyse these results, and then sequentially explain them in more detail in a follow-up qualitative phase.
• Exploratory sequential mixed methods is when you begin with an exploratory qualitative research phase, analyse these data, and then sequentially build on with a follow-up quantitative phase.
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Good morning Professor
This is so helpful thank you very much
Kind regards
William MODIBA
Thanks for your feedback, William.
Yes I am.
Very informative Prof🙏
Pleasure, Lucas 🙂
Good day Professor
I’m using mixed methods with a lot of quantitative approach. This is backed by a Google form design to capture responses.
Thanks for this capacity building endeavor from your side
Great, thanks for your response, Nghitsi.
Good morning prof. Im conducting a concurrent mixed method research, where qualitative and quantitative data are being taken at the same time. Thanks for this.
Thanks, Cherry.
When the qualitative and quantitative data are used together you can get very useful information.
Hope it goes well.