Mixed Methodology

Neuman and Robson Ch. 16

(a brief lecture!)

Rationale

New thinking in research methods advocate the use of a mixed methodology

An attempt to overcome the limitations associated with the use of either an exclusively quantitative method or a qualitative method.

For example, examine Table 16.1 for specific limitations of the research techniques we have discussed this semester…

Why Use Mixed Methods?

New thinking in this area tries to combine both quantitative and qualitative research styles in order to obtain “the best of both worlds”

Can potentially avoid limitations associated with using a research method based on one particular method.

However, in doing so we are dealing with two diametrically opposed epistemologies and it raises some difficulties….

Quantitative ResearchQuantitative Research Qualitative ResearchQualitative Research

-Meaningfully expressed by numbers

-Provides counts and measures

-Positivist orientation

-Meanings, concepts, and definitions

-Quality assessed through words, images, and description

-Interpretivist or critical orientation

Schools of Thought

Three General Approaches to Research (Revisited)

APPROACH POSITIVISM CRITICAL INTERPRETIVEUSUAL TYPE experiment, historical- field research,

OF RESEARCH survey, comparative interviews

cont. anal.

PERSPECTIVE technocratic transcendent transcendent

TYPE OF LOGIC reconstructed logic-in-practice logic-in-practice

PATH linear non-linear non-linear /cyclical /cyclical

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010

The Deductive (Quantitative) Process

Ideas and theory come before empirical research

Ideas lead to refutation through research

The Inductive (Qualitative) Process

o Research leads to theory development

o Research initiates, reformulates, deflects and clarifies theory

Ideas and Theory

Distinctions between Quantitative and Qualitative Research

objective versus subjective

nomothetic versus idiographic

etic versus emic perspective

The Solution?Triangulation…

Multiple lines

of sight

Researchers

Theories

Data Technologies

Triangulation: A Comprehensive Explanation

See Triangulation by Alan Bryman at http://www.referenceworld.com/sage/socialscience/triangulation.pdf

Bryman (drawing on Norman Denzin) states that that triangulation, “refers to the use of more than one approach to the investigation of a research question in order to enhance confidence in the ensuing findings” and is the primary rationale for multi-method research.

Norman Denzin (1970) on Four Types of Triangulation

1. Data triangulation, which entails gathering data through several sampling strategies, so that slices of data at different times and social situations, as well as on a variety of people, are gathered.

2. Investigator triangulation, which refers to the use of more than one researcher in the field to gather and interpret data.

3. Theoretical triangulation, which refers to the use of more than one theoretical position in interpreting data.

4. Methodological triangulation, which refers to the use of more than one method for gathering data.

Neuman and Robson on Methodological Triangulation

Highlight the importance of priority and sequence in choosing a multi-method approach

Which comes first…quantitative or qualitative? Or are to be used concurrently? These are important decisions that must be

made in advance.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010

Potential StrengthsTo add richness to

numbers or add precision to text

Numbers can strengthen grounded theory

Can address broader questions

Enhance generalizability of research

Potential Weaknesseso Added labour and

expense to researcho Explanations become

more complexo Can lead to “epistemic

prioritization” (i.e. the researcher reverts back to preferred method to resolve conflict)

Strengths and Weaknesses of Mixed Methodology