Exam 19: Mixed Methods Research: Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

In a study that examined the high-stakes assessment practices of school districts, Maria first examined scores on the state assessment and then selected cases based upon sound practices and conducted in-depth interviews at these district sites. This study best illustrates which of the following approaches to research?

When researchers follow up on outliers or extreme cases with qualitative methods based upon their quantitative data, they are employing an) __________ approach to mixed-methods research.

Brenda studies first-generation college students. She uses institutional data that tracks these students from high-school into college until subsequent drop-out or graduation. She uses their student grades, major, and inventories of their feelings of success and attitudes about college. She also interviews a select number of the students. Brenda's study is best described as a _____________ study.

Tacita is interested in how teachers' classroom management practices change over time. She conducts observations of 8 teachers' classrooms over the course of five years. She interviews the teachers and follows up with counts of referral data, disciplinary notes in children's files, and number of notes home per teacher per year. -Tacita's design can best be described as a __________ mixed-methods design.

Babukar is conducting a study on children who are suspended for bringing weapons to schools. He collects data from achievement tests, aptitude measures, and questionnaires that consider children's connection to school. He also conducts interviews with suspended children, their teachers, and their parents. He interprets these data to decide if there is a typical profile of students who are suspended for such offenses. HYPERLINK Babukar is best illustrating which type of mixed methods designs?

Caelan is interested in the trading card culture in elementary schools. He has noticed that many children go through a phase of playing with and trading cards with their peers. He decides to more systematically observe children's behaviors while they are given free time. His study will be primarily observational although he may conduct follow up informal interviews with the children and their teachers. Caelan's study is best described as a ___________ design study.

Roshia combines her qualitative and quantitative data for her study on the relationship between extra-curricular activities and high-school students' mental health. In her study she conducted a test to screen students based upon their mental health. She also surveyed participants regarding their extra-curricular activities. Roshia then conducted surveys with those individuals who were involved in extracurricular activities and displayed some mental health concerns. Roshia's mixed-methods study is best categorized as a

Of the following, which is a characteristic of qualitative research methods?

In QUAN-QUAL research designs

Jesa is conducting a study that examines the way that school board members make decisions. She attends and observes a number of school board meetings. After each, she follows up with key personnel using informal interviews based upon her observations at the meetings. She develops key themes that she thinks describe the different factors that go into members' decision-making. She then generates a survey that includes these factors and asks participants to rate the relative importance of each of these factors. Jesa's study could best be described as

Of the following, which best illustrates an example of a mixed-methods study that addresses selection of a major at a large land-grant university?

Ron relies on observations and interviews to explore questions of the experience of participation in a track and field meet. His study can best be described as

Of the following, which best illustrates an example of a mixed-methods study?

Marci has collected qualitative data and survey data. She codes the qualitative data and quantifies it and then compares these data to her survey data. Marci is best displaying which type of mixed-methods design?

Hadasa conducted systematic observations of high school sports teams and coded displays of student athlete frustration. It appeared from these observations that coaching style might be related to athlete frustration. She conducted a self-report survey that asked student athletes to respond regarding their degree of perceived frustration and coaching style so she could conduct correlational analyses to further explore her question. Hadasa's study can best be described as an) _________ mixed-methods design.

Sevil found through his study of college bound students that some high achieving female mathematics students elect to pursue mathematics related fields and others do not consider such fields. He conducts follow-up interviews with some of the young women that are, and some that are not, pursuing mathematics degrees. Sevil is best displaying which type of mixed-methods design?

Paola is interested in what young children pay attention to when they play online games. She uses an eyegaze measure that gives her the location and duration of what the children look at while playing, over time. She conducts interviews with children that seem to display specific patterns of behavior based upon the eyegaze data. Paola's strategy can best be described as an) ______________ approach to mixed methods design.

By definition, mixed-methods research designs

Nancy is studying after-school programs that are housed in the district's school buildings. She interviews staff, students, and parents, observes programs, and reviews school board documents that illustrate how the after-school programs developed. She also administered a survey to enrolled children that rated satisfaction with their program. Which type of research does Nancy's study illustrate?

Jordon conducts interviews and observations at several residential camps. She finds that the first-time camping experience seems to vary considerably based upon birth order. She uses birth-order as a nominal variable as she analyzes her satisfaction survey results. Jordon is best displaying which type of mixed-methods designs?