Creative Strategies for Mixing Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches in Mixed Methods Research

Session Type: Professional Development Course

Abstract

This interactive, problem-centered course introduces ideas for creative ways to mix qualitative and quantitative approaches in a mixed methods research project. This course is appropriate for graduate students and early career researchers with little or no prior knowledge of mixed methods research practice. The principal purpose of the course is to use a problem-oriented activity to generate creative ideas about ways to integrate qualitative and quantitative data during analysis. Objectives for the course include to (a) review the distinctions between multi-method, mixed method, and fully integrated mixed method research; (b) distinguish major reasons for using a mixed method approach; (c) present dialectical pluralism as the paradigmatic grounding for mixed method research; and (d) describe strategies for mixing at all phases of the research process, including at the design and sampling stage, and analysis. Participants completing the course will come away with ideas about ways to design a mixed methods research study. A pre-course assignment is to read “A Primer About Mixed Methods Approaches for Research in an Educational Context,” available at https://mixedmethodresearch.wordpress.com/additional-resources-by-e-g-creamer/.

Sub Unit

• Professional Development and Training Committee

Instructors

• Elizabeth G. Creamer, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Cherie D Edwards, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University