Assessing Mixed-Methods Research Quality in the European Student Mobility Literature

• In Event: 15.061 - MTCC Roundtable Session Two
  In Roundtable Session: 15.061-9 - International Students Experiences in Education

Abstract

Despite devoting substantial support to programs and policies aimed at increasing student mobility rates, European policymakers are struggling to achieve target participation rates. To better understand student mobility and increase participation, policymakers should consider providing greater support to mixed methods research, which integrates quantitative and qualitative methods to reach more meaningful conclusions than if either approach was used independently. This paper systematically reviews a sample of mixed methods studies within the field of European student mobility and aims to understand the rationales that researchers adopt when conducting mixed methods research. The preliminary results of this study show that researchers favor complementarity, development, and triangulation rationales, although the study designs do not always align with these rationales.

Author

• Keanen McKinley, University of Cincinnati