Mixing Methods Qualitative And Quantitative Research

This book focuses on a key issue in the methodology of the social and behavioural sciences: the mixing of different research methods. The extent to which qualitative and quantitative research differ from one another has long been a subject of debate. Although many methodologists have concluded that the two approaches are not mutually exclusive, there are few books on either the theory or the practice of mixing methods. Mixing Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Research presents a comprehensive discussion of the theoretical, methodological and practical issues. It also covers a number of case studies of research which have successfully combined qualitative and quantitative approaches. Contributors include sociologists who have written extensively on the methodology of the social sciences and researchers who have concerned themselves with important social policy issues in the fields of further education, community services and household finances.

Looks in detail at the problems involved in attempting to reconcile qualitative and quantitative methods, providing both theoretical and methodological guidance as well as practical examples of how methods can be fruitfully combined.

The bestseller that pioneered the comparison of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research design continues in its Fourth Edition to help students and researchers prepare their plan or proposal for a scholarly journal article, dissertation or thesis.

Can qualitative and quantitative methods be combined effectively in psychology? What are the practical and theoretical issues involved? Should different criteria be used to judge qualitative and quantitative research? The acceptance of qualitative research methods in psychology has lead to a split between qualitative and quantitative methods and has raised questions about how best to assess the validity of research practice. While the two approaches have traditionally been seen as competing paradigms, more recently, researchers have begun to argue that the divide is artificial. Mixing Methods in Psychology looks in detail at the problems involved in attempting to reconcile qualitative and quantitative methods both within and across subjects. All angles of the debate are discussed, covering areas as diverse as health, education, social, clinical and economic psychology. The contributors, who are some of the leading figures in the field, present theoretical and methodological guidance as well as practical examples of how quantitative and qualitative methods can be fruitfully combined. By aiming to bridge the gap between the two methods, this book reveals how each can inform the other to produce more accurate theories and models of human behaviour. This groundbreaking text will be essential reading for students and researchers wishing to combine methods, or for anyone who simply wants to get a better understanding of the debate.

This book provides a straightforward, student-focused introduction to doing mixed methods research, covering everything from why and when mixed methods is appropriate, as well as how to use qualitative and quantitative methods in tandem. Assuming no prior research methods knowledge, it introduces mixed methods alongside basic research theory and principles, fully integrating mixed methods into the research methods foundation. With clearly defined key terms and a structure that maps to the way students work on their projects, it progresses at a gradual pace suitable for mixed methods beginners. Offering encouragement and tips for success throughout the full research process, Hall helps students confidently: - Explain mixed methods paradigms and methodologies - Define and choose a research approach - Combine methods effectively - Sample, collect, and analyze primary and secondary data - Communicate and write up results. Packed with tables, figures, and boxes that distill key concepts into retainable visuals, this book is the perfect companion to support students on their mixed methods projects.

Authors Abbas Tashakkori and Charles Teddlie explore the most resourceful way to combine qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Researchers wanting to learn how to think about and utilize mixed methods in their studies will find this an indispensable guide for their work.

Advances in Mixed Methods Research provides an essential introduction to the fast-growing field of mixed methods research. Bergman's book examines the current state of mixed-methods research, exploring exciting new ways of conceptualizing and conducting empirical research in the social and health sciences. Contributions from the world's leading experts in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches are brought together, clearing the way for a more constructive approach to social research. These contributions cover the main practical and methodological issues and include a number of different visions of what mixed methods research is. The discussion also covers the use of mixed methods in a diverse range of fields, including sociology, education, politics, psychology, computational science and methodology. This book represents an important contribution to the ongoing debate surrounding the use of mixed methods in the social sciences and health research, and presents a convincing argument that the conventional, paradigmatic view of qualitative and quantitative research is outdated and in need of replacement. It will be essential reading for anyone actively engaged in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research and for students of social research methods. Manfred Max Bergman is Chair of Methodology and Political Sociology at the University of Basel.