Deck 10: Mixed-Methods Research

Question 1

It is important to decide how to integrate quantitative and qualitative findings in interpretation of these findings.Your textbook refers to two possible ways for such integration.Discuss these ways.

Answer 1

When conducting a quantitative (survey)and qualitative (interview)portions of the study, researchers might count the number of times each theme appears in the interviews and then compare the frequency counts with the quantitative analysis of survey responses.Another option is to create a two-column table-one column for qualitative findings and another for quantitative findings-that can reveal parallels and any discrepancies between the two data sets. This activity will give students practice with recognizing and critiquing statistical techniques commonly used in the research literature. Have students form groups of about five.Give each group a set of articles that employ statistical analyses covered in the chapter.Have students do four things for each study in their set of articles:(a)identify the descriptive statistics used, (b)critique whether the selected descriptive statistics were appropriate given the nature of the data, (c)identify the inferential statistical tests used, and (d)critique whether the selected statistical tests were appropriate given the nature of the research question(s). The pool of articles collected from students for the Chapter 1 activity may provide plenty of samples for this activity.If not, you'll want to add articles to the sample set to assure that the students are working with a rich set of appropriate examples.

Question 2

Shenny has been collecting quantitative and qualitative data within the same time frame.Each data set aims to address related but different research questions.Which design has Shenny employed?
a.Convergent
b.Embedded
c.Ex Post Facto
d.Explanatory

Answer 2

c

Question 3

When a researcher develops a coding system and codes data, and then computes frequencies for the occurrence of each code, the researcher is analyzing data for

A)Triangulation research
B)Research that is not mixed-methods
C)QUAN-QUAL design
D)QUAL-quan design

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Zlata explores how engagement in the arts in early age affects the development of problem solving skills of young children.She distributes surveys among parents of children who participate in a local theatre production, and follows up the survey with selected interviews.Which of the following best illustrates Zlata's study?

A)QUAL-quan
B)Qualitative
C)QUAN-qual
D)Quantitative

Question 5

When planning a mixed-methods study, a researcher should consider all but one statement below.Which statement is not true?

A)Identify research questions to frame the qualitative and quantitative approaches.
B)Avoid submitting a proposal to IRB to consider special ethical issues due to the complex nature of collecting various sets of data.
C)Be prepared to review additional literature if the study has two-phases.
D)Explain how a study's quantitative and qualitative parts come together-or in some cases don't come together.

Question 6

Mixed-methods research is characterized by the use of

A)More than one qualitative method
B)More than one quantitative method
C)Quantitative, qualitative, and action research methods
D)Quantitative and qualitative methods

Question 7

Sharon wanted to investigate student perceptions of homework.First, she distributed a survey to students and their parents and collected quantitative data.Second, she interviewed a few participants to gain insights on their survey responses.Which design has Sharon employed?

A)Convergent
B)Embedded
C)Exploratory
D)Explanatory

Question 8

Rodrigo wanted to investigate students' feeling about reading for pleasure.First, he interviewed students and then he used insights from the interviews to construct a survey to collect quantitative data.Which design has Rodrigo employed?

A)Convergent
B)Embedded
C)Exploratory
D)Explanatory

Question 9

In the textbook the authors suggest that using mixed-methods designs is helpful for accomplishing completeness of the inquiry.Explain the meaning of this statement.

Question 10

When evaluating a study with a mixed methods design, researchers should ask a number of questions.Which of the following is unique to mixed methods research?

A)Does the study clearly identify more than one data collection technique?
B)Was the study feasible given the amount of data to be collected and concomitant issues of resources, time, and expertise?
C)Does the study include a rationale for using the particular design?
D)Does the study appropriately use quantitative and qualitative data collection methods?

Question 11

Which of the following is not a mixed-methods research design?

A)Convergent
B)Embedded
C)Ex Post Facto
D)Exploratory

Question 12

Which of the following is the major advantage of mixed-methods research?

A)It provides unlimited opportunities to collect data
B)It requires a researcher to possess both qualitative and quantitative research skills
C)It incorporates the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative methods
D)It prevents contradictions with traditional research

Question 13

A researcher collects survey data to identify specific participants with diverse opinions about a controversial proposal for reforming afterschool programs in the districts.Focus groups are held so the researcher can understand more completely these participants' perspectives.This mixed methods design is best characterized as

A)QUAL-QUAL
B)qual - quan
C)QUAN-qual
D)QUAL-quan

Question 14

Dorothy has been collecting both quantitative and qualitative data in parallel.She wanted to ensure triangulation with the hope that analyses of both data sets lead to similar conclusions about the phenomenon under investigation.Which design has Dorothy employed?

A)Convergent
B)Embedded
C)Ex Post Facto
D)Explanatory