Secondary Data In Mixed Methods Research

Secondary Data in Mixed Methods Research by Daphne C. Watkins, the latest contribution to the Mixed Methods Research Series, offers unique and necessary instruction in this growing topic. With the increasing amount of secondary data available through journals and repositories, researchers have a trove of sources for new investigations at their fingertips, but few books to guide them. This brief text provides readers with a step-by-step procedure for incorporating secondary data into various mixed methods research designs, as well as identifying key characteristics of existing datasets that make them good candidates for mixed methods projects and giving ideas for new uses of secondary data. Introductory chapters help the reader understand the “what” and “why” of secondary data. Subsequent chapters address the use of secondary data in convergent, exploratory sequential, explanatory sequential, and other complex research designs. The final chapters delve into writing and reporting on projects before, during, and after the project. Quotes throughout the chapter help readers remember key bits of knowledge, while learning objectives and summaries in each chapter structure the reading experience. Application questions at the end of each chapter help readers recall information and apply it to their own research projects. By emphasizing how to use existing qualitative and quantitative datasets in mixed methods research, Secondary Data in Mixed Methods Research will help readers answer new and ongoing questions in social science research.

With contributions from over 80 of the biggest names and rising stars of the field, this Handbook is an essential resource for anyone interested in the contemporary, emerging, and evolving practice of mixed methods research and scholarship. Exploring new and novel applications of existing mixed methods research design practices, the handbook provides comprehensive integration guidance while showcasing how design innovations inspire and contribute to investigating previously under-researched social issues and populations. Through its unique focus on design and the diverse contexts in which mixed methods research is being applied, this Handbook prepares researchers for the changing conditions in which they will conduct studies. Newcomers and seasoned mixed methods researchers alike will find this Handbook a go-to source for tools to think and act ‘complexively’ and creatively in research design. Using accessible language and illustrative examples, this Handbook is written for those with various roles and experience in mixed methods research design. The in-depth discussions led by the interdisciplinary group of 11 internationally renowned editorial section leads project our collective thinking of mixed methods research design into the future across the following six sections: Section 1: Inspiring Diversity and Innovation in Mixed Methods Design Section 2: The Craft of Mixed Methods Research Design Section 3: Expanding Mixed Methods Design Approaches Section 4: Designing Innovative Integrations with Technology Section 5: Navigating Research Cultures in Mixed Methods Design Section 6: Exploring Design Possibilities and Challenges for Mixed Methods Research

Covering the general process of data analysis to finding, collecting, organizing, and presenting data, this book offers a complete introduction to the fundamentals of data analysis. Using real-world case studies as illustrations, it helps readers understand theories behind and develop techniques for conducting quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods data analysis. With an easy-to-follow organization and clear, jargon-free language, it helps readers not only become proficient data analysts, but also develop the critical thinking skills necessary to assess analyses presented by others in both academic research and the popular media. It includes advice on: - Data analysis frameworks - Validity and credibility of data - Sampling techniques - Data management - The big data phenomenon - Data visualisation - Effective data communication Whether you are new to data analysis or looking for a quick-reference guide to key principles of the process, this book will help you uncover nuances, complexities, patterns, and relationships among all types of data.

Secondary data is a powerful tool for providing context to an otherwise small-scale study, as well as being an efficient way of bringing together a large amount of data, particularly where access to the field may be difficult. This comprehensive guide introduces students to the use of secondary data in educational and social research, and provides a practical resource for researchers who are new to the field of secondary data analysis. The author encourages researchers to consider the potential for using secondary data both as their primary research method, but also as a useful strategy in mixed methods designs. The first part of the book explores the role of secondary data analysis in contemporary social research. It considers the arguments for and against its use and addresses its particular benefits in mixed method research designs, especially those in the political arithmetic tradition. The second part introduces worked examples which show the potential for using secondary sources to answer a varied range of research questions. It provides step-by-step guidance on how to manipulate and analyse secondary data. The inclusion of recent national and international datasets as exemplars allows students to place their research in a 'real life' context and to consider current and topical research issues.

Mixed-Methods Research in Wellbeing and Health brings together nine examples of high-quality research into wellbeing and health using a range of mixed methods. Research that employs mixed methods can yield robust data that is both more reliable and valid than that arising from a single-method approach. Mixed-methods research is a vital component in responding to recent changes to the more complex needs of an increasingly diverse society and its health sector. This book covers how mixed-methods research can be designed creatively and applied sensitively in the context of wellbeing and health research. The editors have included a set of bespoke questions for reflection at the end of each chapter. The expert editorial commentary highlights the benefits and methodological challenges of mixed-methods research as well as ‘thinking points’ for researchers as they plan and carry out mixed-methods research on wellbeing and health topics. Within a holistic view of wellbeing and health, the mixed-methods research designs are applied appropriately in both practice and community settings. The research can be shaped by pragmatism and the actual needs of a study rather than purely theoretical considerations. This practical book makes high-quality, mixed-methods research design and execution guidance readily accessible to health-care practitioners and researchers working in the fields of health, social care and wellbeing services and to undergraduate and postgraduate students in courses in research and health-care studies, as well as health management.

Pragmatic and inspiring, this applied book will help you to complete your research quickly and well. David Gray’s advice is both positive and sensible as he walks you through each step of the research process from start to finish. Weaving quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods together, he encourages you to consider flexible options and to choose the most appropriate methods for your projects. Setting out the realities of conducting research in real-world settings, David will help you to find the practical tools – and the confidence – you need to make good research choices as well as providing coverage of a wide range of assessment techniques and employability skills. The book also introduces an incredible range of digital resources: · Award-winning video to bring concepts to life · Video top tips from David · Case studies from experts · Journal articles to showcase real research · Interactive glossary flashcards · Multiple choice questions to test yourself with · Multidisciplinary data sets · Downloadable checklists to guide you. Brimming with energy and grounded in reality, this book is still your definitive companion to research – from theory to design, data collection to data analysis and writing up to dissemination this book has everything you need to excel. *Interactivity only available through Vitalsource eBook included as part of paperback product (ISBN 9781526418524). Access not guaranteed on second-hand copies (as access code may have previously been redeemed).

Finally, a practical guide to mixed methods research has been written with health and human services professionals in mind. Watkins and Gioia review the fundamentals of mixed methods research designs and the general suppositions of mixed methods procedures, look critically at mixed method studies and models that have already been employed in social work, and reflect on the contributions of this work to the field. But what is most important is that they lead the reader through considerations for the application of the mixed methods research in social work settings. The chapters of this book are structured so that readers can (figuratively) walk through the mixed methods research process using nine steps. Chapters one, five, and six provide supplemental material meant to serve as grounding for chapters two, three, and four, which outline nine steps in the mixed methods research process, and specific to social work research. This is a short and practical guide not just for learning about mixed methods research, but also doing it.

The Fourth Edition of Rafael J. Engel and Russell K. Schutt’s The Practice of Research in Social Work introduces an integrated set of techniques for evaluating research and practice problems as well as conducting studies. Evidence-based practice comes alive through illustrations of actual social work research. Updated with new examples, the latest research, and expanded material on technology and qualitative methods, this popular text helps readers achieve the 2015 EPAS core competencies essential for social work practice.