Mixed Methods Procedures

Mixed methods approaches allow researchers to use the benefits of quantitative research with the benefits of qualitative research to find the broadest view of the issues involved in the research. Quantitative research is excellent in obtaining an overall view of the issues generally, and qualitative approaches can enhance this view by providing the detail of how individuals within these issues deal with them day to day. So quantitative can provide the scope and background and qualitative can provide the details and depth of the issue. However, applying mixed methods requires a process and this discussion will support you in understanding the unique application of mixed methods in research. In your initial post, address the following:

1.Discuss your perception of mixed methods approach and compare it to the types of mixed methods designs presented. Look back on your initial response to Week One’s discussion, “Selecting Research 2.Approaches.” Based on the research topic you chose for that discussion, which mixed methods design would best accommodate your needs, and why?
3.How useful do you find the advanced mixed methods designs mentioned in Chapter 10? Justify your answer.
4.Chapter 10 gives six factors considered important when choosing mixed methods design. Organize these six factors by order of importance based on your research. Share your ranking and discuss the disparities observed.

TIP:
Chapter 10
This chapter presents information on designing a mixed methods procedures section for a research proposal. Previous chapters have discussed the collection of quantitative and qualitative data, but not the process for combining the two forms of data in the study. The blending of the two types of data can help to develop a stronger understanding of the research question or process.

Chapter 10 begins with a discussion of the components of a mixed methods procedure and discusses how to design the procedures for a mixed methods study. Recommendations for conveying the nature of mixed methods research and what it is are discussed. Beginning with the assumption that mixed methods is a new methodology in research and readers need to be educated about it, the chapter describes how researchers should go about the process of conveying that information to readers.

Reference:
Creswell, J. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.

This discussion will help you think about the varied research approaches and how they can be applied based on certain world views or the nature of the groups you wish to research. By choosing the best approach from the start, researchers are much more likely to get the best results to answer research questions. In your initial post, address the following:
•    Discuss the importance of the inductive approach in qualitative research. How does this approach differ from the deductive approach in quantitative research?
•    Explain how your philosophical worldview may influence the types of research you are interested in conducting.
•    Of the four philosophical worldviews, which do you feel most fits with your own perspective to research?
•    How does the definition and description of research design differ from your initial perception of the concept?
•    If you were given a research study to complete in the Ashford online learning setting, which criterion/criteria would figure most prominently in your decision about the research approach to take? For example, is there anything about the mode of online learning or the demographic of the students which would work best with a certain research approach?

An inductive research approach is important in conducting a qualitative research activity, as it mainly centers on the generation of fresh theory from the data used. An inductive research approach allows for the exploration of new phenomena and also the interpretation of past research phenomena in a different manner while the deductive research approach only focuses on testing the available theory. It thus serves better when utilized in conductive qualitative research.
One’s philosophical worldview may influence the research types they are interested in conducting by influencing the research approach they are willing to take, especially based on previous experiences and research outcomes. The four main worldviews, positivism, pragmatism, constructivism and transformative worldviews each dictate either the use of the inductive or deductive approaches based on whether they are qualitative or quantitative research types (Creswell, 2014).
Of the four philosophical worldviews, which are pragmatism, constructivism, progressive and transformative, I feel pragmatism squarely fits my personal perspective to research. I believe in the power of practical consequences towards the generation and development of knowledge and value in life.
My initial perception of the research design concept was that it only involved the arrangement of various parts contained in a research paper. These sections, I perceived, were to be placed in a certain manner, as a rule governing the field of research and the procedure of conducting the same. However, I came to learn that research design refers to the plan for collecting, analyzing and measurement of data as opposed to the arrangement of the various components of the research paper.
The criteria that would figure most prominently in my choice of research approach to conduct in the Ashford online setting would be inductive. This would ensure that I conducted a qualitative research that would investigate the mode of learning based on the available data, in an aim to come up with entirely new results or interpret the existing data completely different.
Reference:
Creswell, J. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.