Developments (last 20 years)

1. Developments (last 20 years) • Increasing interest in and advocacy for mixed methods • Evolving understanding of what is mixed methods research • Developing designs and innovative techniques • “The emergence of mixed methods as a third methodological movement in the social and behavioral sciences began during the 1980’s.” (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2003: 697)

2. Development of NIH guidelines (1999) “Combining qualitative and quantitative methods has gained broad appeal in public health research.” (1999) - Mentioned several approaches for combining qualitative and quantitative research - Advanced considerations for deciding what model to use (literature available, prior studies, realistic design, expertise) - Suggested to describe each method thoroughly

3. Books on Mixed Methods Research 14+ books on mixed methods research have been written since 1988

4. A New Journal Journals Devoted to Mixed Methods: Fieldwork Quality and Quantity Mixed Method Approaches Editors: John W. Creswell and Abbas Tashakkori Managing Editor: Vicki L. Plano Clark Email: vpc@unlserve.unl.edu

5. Conferences • Mixed Methods Conference, Cambridge, England, July 21-24, 2008 • Proposed mixed methods conference, Sydney, Australia, 2009 • Discipline conferences with mixed methods papers

6. Critics (Creswell, 2007) • Is there a post-positivist leaning to mixed methods? • Howe, K. R. (2004). A critique of experimentalism. Qualitative Inquiry, 10, 42-61. • Giddings, L. S. (2006). Mixed-methods research: Positivism dressed in drag? Journal of Research in Nursing, 11(3), 195-2003. • Holmes, C. A. (2007). Mixed(up) methods, methodology and interpretive frameworks. Contributed paper for the Mixed Methods Conference, Cambridge, University, July 10-12, 2006. • What are the limits for mixed methods research? • Sale, J. E. M., Lohfeld, L. H., Brazil, K. (2002). Revisiting the quantitative-qualitative debate: Implications for mixed-methods research. Quality and Quantity, 36, 43-53. • Leahey, E. (2007). Convergence and confidentiality? Limits to the implementation of mixed methodology. Social Science Research, 36, 149-158. • Is there a dominant discourse in mixed methods research? • Freshwater, D. (2007). Reading mixed methods research: Contexts for criticism. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(2), 134-146.

7. Mixed methods is not that different from other methods Identifying a research problem Reviewing the literature Identifying a purpose and stating questions Views of knowledge Assumptions Collecting data Analyzing and interpreting data Reporting and evaluating the study

8. Mixed Methods within Designs Experimental research Ethnography Case Study Research Narrative research Qual ----- Quan Qual----- Quan Qual-----Quan Qual---- Quan

9. What is this Method Called? • Multi-method • Triangulation • Integrated • Combined • Quantitative and qualitative methods • Multi-methodology • Mixed methodology • Mixed-method • Mixed research • Mixed methods

10. Mixing (How) Converge data: Qual Quan Results Connect data: Qual Quan Results Embed the data: Quan data Qual data

11. Mixing – Why? • Validity – to corroborate quan and qual data • Offset – offset weaknesses of quan and qual and draw on strengths • Completeness – more comprehensive account that qual or quan alone • Process – quan provides outcomes; qual, the processes • Explanation – qual can explain quan results or vice-versa • Unexpected results – surprising results from one, other explains • Instrument development – qual employed to design instrument • Credibility – both approaches enhance integrity of findings • Context – qual provides context; quan provides general. • Utility – more useful to practitioners

12. Purist Stance Smith & Heshusius, (1986) “Incompatibility thesis” “The contention of this paper is that the claim of compatibility, let alone one of synthesis, cannot be sustained.” (p. 4)

13. “Single” Paradigm Stance • Pragmatism (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2003) • Focus on research question • What “works,” consequences • Multiple methods – large toolkit • Transformative (Mertens, 2003) • Transform lives of underrepresented, marginalized groups • Incorporate this focus into all phases of research

14. Developing Designs and Innovative Techniques Key Developments • Notation • Typologies • Diagrams of procedures • Complex evaluation models • Reconceptualizing designs • Emergence of innovations in procedures • Unusual blends • Methodological issues • Data analysis techniques • Presentation techniques

15. Preliminary Design Considerations (Morse, 1991) quan qual

16. Parsimonious Designs (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2007) QUANPre-test Data & Results QUANPost-test Data & Results Interpretation qualProcess Intervention QUANData & Results QUALData & Results Interpretation Concurrent Mixed Methods Designs Triangulation Design Embedded Design

17. qualData & Results QUANData & Results Interpretation Following up quanData & Results QUALData & Results Interpretation Building to QUANIntervention Trial Before-interventionqual After-intervention qual Interpretation Sequential Designs Mixed Methods Designs Explanatory Design Exploratory Design Sequential Embedded Design

18. Example of A Diagram

19. Complex Mixed Methods Evaluation Designs (Nastasi, Hitchcock, Sarkar, Burkholder, Varjas & Jayasena, 2007) Study of mental health interventions for youth in Sri Lanka