Mixed methods research: what it is and what types there are

When you need to integrate quantitative and qualitative methods into the same study, it is called Mixed methods research.

Mixed methods research is often presented as a compromise between advocates of quantitative and qualitative research.

Below you will learn more about the benefits of combining these research methods that lead to better results.

What is mixed methods research?

Mixed methods research is a research methodology that collects, analyses and integrates both quantitative and qualitative research results.

This approach is used when a better understanding of the research problem is required that cannot be achieved using individual methods.

Quantitative data includes closed information such as that used to measure attitudes, e.g. B. Rating scales.

The analysis of this type of data involves the statistical evaluation of the values ​​collected, e.g. B. through surveys to answer research questions or test hypotheses.

Qualitative data is open-ended information typically collected by the researcher through interviews, focus groups, and observations. When analyzing qualitative data (words, texts, or behaviors), they are typically grouped into categories to provide insight into the diversity of ideas collected during data collection.

By conducting mixed methods research with quantitative and qualitative data, the researcher gains breadth and depth of understanding and confirmation while compensating for the inherent weaknesses of applying each approach separately.

When should you use mixed methods research?

Mixed research uses a variety of methods and data sources to study the same phenomenon. Triangulation allows you to more accurately identify aspects of a phenomenon by looking at it from different angles.

Successful triangulation requires careful analysis of the information provided by each method, including its strengths and weaknesses.

Mixed methods research is ideal for:

• If you want to validate or substantiate results obtained using other methods.
• When you need to use one method as a basis for another. For example, when little is known about a topic and you need to know which variables you want to study first with qualitative research, then study those variables with a large sample of people with quantitative research.
• When you continuously analyse a research question from different perspectives and want to clarify unexpected results and/or possible contradictions.
• If you want to further elaborate, clarify or build on the results of other methods. For example, if you go through experimental research have established a causal relationship but want to understand and explain the causal processes involved through qualitative research.
• When you develop a theory about a particular phenomenon and then want to test it. In general, qualitative research is better for theory building, while quantitative research provides a better way to test theories.
• If you want to generalize the results of qualitative research.

Advantages of mixed methods research

Below are some of the benefits that mixed methods research can bring to your next project:

• By using both types of research, the strengths of each approach can offset each other's weaknesses.
• It allows for a more complete and comprehensive understanding of the research problem than a separate approach.
• Provides a better approach by developing better and more specific tools according to the research context.
• Helps explain the results or how causal processes work.

Disadvantages and limitations

Mixed methods research has some disadvantages, for example:

• Research design can be very complex.
• Planning and conducting these types of research requires much more time and resources.
• It can be difficult to plan and execute one method using the results of another.
• It may be unclear how to resolve discrepancies in the interpretation of results.

Types of mixed methods research

When deciding what type of mixed methods research to use, it is important to consider the overall research goal, the specific research questions, and the strengths and weaknesses of each method.

The four most important forms of mixed methods research are presented below:

• Sequential explanation approach: This approach involves the collection and analysis of quantitative data, followed by the collection and analysis of qualitative data. The focus is on the quantitative data and the conclusions are integrated into the interpretation phase of the study.
• Sequential exploratory design: In this design, the collection and analysis of qualitative research data is followed by the collection and analysis of quantitative data. Priority will be given to the qualitative aspect of the study and the conclusions will be integrated into the interpretation phase of the study.
• Simultaneous triangulation strategy: In this design, there is only one data collection phase in which quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis are carried out separately but simultaneously. The results will be integrated into the interpretation phase of the study. Both types of research are usually treated equally.
• Simultaneous nesting: This mixed-methods research design uses only one phase of data collection in which one predominant method (quantitative or qualitative) nests the other, less prioritized method (qualitative or quantitative). This nesting may mean that the embedded method addresses a different question than the dominant method or seeks information at different levels. The data collected using the two methods are mixed in the analysis phase of the project.

QuestionPro offers you the opportunity to conduct mixed methods research on our platform. For example, through online communities, a tool that allows you to conduct qualitative research through focus groups or online discussion forums, as well as surveys and polls for more quantitative data.

If you would like to learn more about how you can bring these two research methods together in the same platform, request a demo and experience the platform's full potential.

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KEYWORDS OF THIS BLOG POST

Mixed methods research | Mixed methods | Research