Explain the appeal of the mixed methods approach.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

In earlier chapters, we have given you examples of research that has combined research methods, but in this chapter, we will explain in more detail the logic of mixed methods and different ways of combining methods. We then review the strengths and limitations of the methods we have discussed; this review will help you choose the most appropriate research design for a particular investigation and decide when a combination of methods—mixed methods—is most useful. Finally, we introduce the methods of meta-analysis and meta-synthesis, which allow systematic evaluation of findings from numerous published studies that have all used similar quantitative and qualitative methods.
Social scientists have long used multiple methods in their research, but only in recent decades have some focused attention on how best to combine qualitative and quantitative methods to better achieve research goals. We have seen several examples in this book already of research that has employed more than one method to investigate the same research question. For example, in his ethnography in Oakland, California, Victor Rios (2011) conducted participant observation, focus groups, and intensive interviews. But what exactly does mixed-methods research mean? While there are many definitions of mixed-methods research, the operationalization provided by the National Institute of Health’s Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research is useful. It defines mixed methods as focusing on research questions that call for real-life contextual understandings?.?.?.?employing rigorous quantitative research assessing the magnitude and frequency of constructs and rigorous qualitative research exploring the meaning and understanding of constructs?.?.?.?intentionally integrating or combining these methods to draw on the strengths of each. (Creswell, Klassen, Plano Clark, & Smith, 2011)