How to Formulate a Plan for a Mixed Methods Research Project

eHow
June 3, 2011

Mixed methods research combines the generalizability of quantitative methods with the humanistic aspects of a qualitative approach to develop rich, evidence-based studies. Mixed methods are gaining popularity because they marry empirical evidence with human experience, but they are labor intensive because they require two separate study designs. A successful mixed methods research study includes quantitative and qualitative methods that complement one another, adding value beyond a single research approach.

Things You'll Need

• Research question
• Institutional Review Board approval, if working with human subjects

Step 1

Develop a research question. The research objective should address a problem or occurrence that is both quantifiable and observable in society, so that both methods can address the same phenomenon.

Step 2
Design a quantitative study. The quantitative aspect is something that can be enumerated with statistical or experimental methods. Good quantitative research can be replicated under the same circumstances by another researcher. Checking the reliability and validity of the research design will ensure a good quantitative study.

Step 3

Design a qualitative study. Unlike quantitative research, qualitative studies cannot be replicated in a laboratory. Observation and interviews are two common tactics in qualitative research. The researcher enters a participant community and observes without manipulation. The researcher is, in essence, the research instrument, as his experience determines the outcome of the study.

Step 4
Determine how the two research designs will merge. The quantitative study can be used to describe the phenomenon generally, and the qualitative study can serve as a case study to add a human element, like an anecdote. Alternatively, the qualitative study can be the crux of the research: The focus is on the community and the quantitative research serves as a sort of side bar to generalize the findings and guide future research.

Tips
If you are working with human subjects, your institution will likely require approval from the Institutional Review Board. This approval protects both the participants' and the researchers' safety and interests.


References
“Educational Researcher”; Mixed Methods Research: A Research Paradigm Whose Time Has Come; R. Burke Johnson, et al; October 2004
Social Research Methods: Research Design and Mixed Methods Approach