Pros And Cons Of A Mixed Method Research Design
ANSWERS
Quantitative research methods include hard numbers and demonstrable outcomes, such as experiments and surveys. Qualitative research is more subjective and frequently includes data observation and interpretation through ethnography and personal interviews. Recent approaches to research design include combining qualitative and quantitative data in a mixed-methods study. This method has both advantages and disadvantages.
Analysis vs. Exploration
Most mixed-methods research starts with a qualitative observation of an event or phenomenon. A qualitative study allows you to provide subtle details that outline a problem. The research then employs a quantitative tool, such as a survey, to validate or invalidate the qualitative findings. This approach relegates qualitative analysis to an exploratory tool while failing to maximize quantitative analysis as a tool for exploring and defining a problem and potential solutions.
a broader viewpoint
A single-approach design may only include experiments to determine the cause and effect of a single issue. In contrast, it may only use observation to explain why a problem has arisen. A mixed-approach design draws on the strengths of both methodologies to provide a more comprehensive view of the problem. An experiment may reveal an anomaly not apparent during observation, whereas observations provide nuances that multiple-choice surveys cannot capture.
Personal prejudice
Because people differ, some are better at performing one research methodology than another. A pragmatic person prefers the conclusive answers provided by quantitative research. Those who think in a nonlinear fashion may be better able to perform qualitative analysis. If a researcher has a bias toward a particular research methodology, the research may suffer from bias unless adjustments are made to account for the researcher’s weakness in that methodology.
More Information
A mixed-method approach broadens research in ways that a single approach cannot. Providing a statistical analysis in addition to observation broadens the scope of the research. Academics gather information from other academics, and mixed methodologies provide a more comprehensive picture. There is more data from which to generate new hypotheses. Mixed methodology research can help move a debate forward by providing more data for future discussions and research.
Various Responses
Quantitative analysis is designed to find a single answer. The experiment’s goal is to find one consistent truth throughout the experiment. However, qualitative research is inherently focused on multiple answers because interviews reveal various information that may be contradictory yet true simultaneously. Good researchers are aware of the possibility that this phenomenon will lead to the analysis of various problems during the quantitative and qualitative phases of the research and account for it.
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