The Current Status of Graduate Students' Mixed-Methods Research Practices in Dissertation and Thesis Abstracts

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: Learning From Graduate Students to Improve Graduate Research Education

Abstract

As an emergent research approach, mixed methods research (MMR) is receiving increasing attention in graduate student preparation. Despite the extensive methodological literature about this approach, there is little insight about the actual practices of the next generation of researchers who are using MMR. Using qualitative and quantitative approaches to examine graduate students' current MMR practices, this study examined 869 abstracts of dissertations and theses published between 2013 and 2018. MMR element prevalence analysis revealed common (e.g., qualitative methods, quantitative methods, mixed methods design, sequence/timing of qualitative and quantitative strands) and uncommon (e.g., mixed methods rationale, priority, integration techniques, added value of using MMR) practices. Implications for higher education training of researchers in MMR are discussed.

Authors

• Sinem Toraman, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

• Kyle T. Cox, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Vicki L. Plano Clark, University of Cincinnati

• Jacinda K. Dariotis, University of Illinois