The Two Primary Types of Mixed Methods Designs (1)

The Two Primary Types of Mixed Methods Designs

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The Two Primary Types of Mixed Methods Designs

There are different types of research designs that can be used in research, each having some benefits and drawbacks depending with different situations and settings. Mixed methods designs involve the combination of quantitative and qualitative data in a study. Various mixed methods designs can be differentiated by looking at factors such as forms of validity, data collection and analysis, interpretation as well as challenges involved. Currently, mixed methods research has advanced into some procedures that can be utilized in planning and carrying out a mixed methods study. This piece of work gives a critical discussion on mixed methods designs and what they entail. Much emphasis will be placed on the major components of mixed methods research design, the major strengths and weaknesses of mixed methods research design and the use of such data by criminal justice agencies.

The Major Components of Mixed Methods Research Design

According to Creswell (2014), there are different types of mixed methods research design including the basic ones such as convergent parallel mixed methods, explanatory sequential mixed methods, and exploratory sequential mixed methods. Other advanced mixed methods designs include embedded mixed methods, transformative mixed methods and multiphase mixed methods.

Mixed methods research design is made up of various components. There is need to offer a basic definition and description of the design in the methodological section. Elements in the definition should be highlighted for the reader to have a deep understanding of the fundamental characteristics that depict mixed methods. This will involve the collection of quantitative and qualitative data, analysis of the two forms of data, and the procedures involved in the data collection and analysis in the quantitative and qualitative designs. The two forms of data are incorporated in the design analysis. This is done by merging, connecting and embedding the data. The procedures are them integrated into a discrete mixed methods design. The other component includes making it clear that numerous different terms are utilized for the approach. Despite the fact that recent writings use the term mixed methods, terms such as synthesis, multimethod, integrating, qualitative and quantitative method and mixed methodology are commonly used (Creswell, 2014).

There is also a need to inform the reader about the background of the mixed methods. This is made possible by reviewing the history of the approach such as when it started, the different periods of development as well as its expansion into various disciplines and nations worldwide. A short discussion on the significance of mixed methods should also be given. Providing statements on the rationale and value of the choice of mixed methods as an approach for the study is also an essential component. This could include aspects such as its ability to draw on both quantitative and qualitative research as well as reducing the limitations associated with the two approaches. They also offer a sophisticated approach to research that is attractive to those engaging in new research procedures (Creswell, 2014). Mixed methods also allow for a deeper understanding of the research problem.

Another essential component of mixed methods research design is the outlining of the type of the method to be used in the study as well as the rationale involved in choosing it. The primary strategies should be outlined. It is also important to highlight the challenges associated with this form of research especially on the part of the inquirer. This could include the need to have knowledge in qualitative and quantitative research, need for wide-ranging data collection, the need for clear visual models and being time-consuming in analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data (Creswell, 2014).

All these components are significant and should be made clear to the reader for easy understanding of the whole research process. Nothing should be left unexplained for the reader since this could be a cause of confusion, an aspect that could hinder a good understanding of the research process. This is more so since the mixed methods research design is relatively a new approach especially in the social and human sciences.

The Major Strengths and Weaknesses of Mixed Methods Research Design

There are different mixed methods research designs as mentioned above. A researcher could consider the use of one mixed methods design over others based on different factors and one of them is the benefits and limitations involved. Mixed methods research design is associated with some strengths as well as weaknesses. A major strength is that by blending quantitative and qualitative data, the methods offer a stronger understanding of the problem of study. Mixed methods have the advantage of drawing on the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative research as well as reducing on the limitations of the two approaches. There is also the strength of offering a sophisticated approach to research, which is appropriate to those involved in new research procedures. Mixed methods research designs also stand as ideal approaches in cases whereby the researcher has access to both qualitative and quantitative data. The designs have also been found to be useful in having a more comprehensive understanding of the research problems (Creswell, 2014). This is made possible through the comparison of various perspectives got from qualitative and quantitative data, and describing quantitative results using a qualitative follow-up data collection and analysis among other strategies.

On the other hand, mixed methods designs are associated with some challenges or weakness as applied in different situations. For instance, they necessitate extensive data collection which could be expensive and time consuming. The analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data is also time-intensive. In addition, successful use of mixed methods designs requires that the researcher is well versed with both qualitative and quantitative forms of research. It is also worth noting that the design is complex in nature (Creswell, 2014). For this reason, it requires clear visual models to help in the understanding of the research activities in terms of details and flow.

The Use of Such Data by Criminal Justice Agencies

Data from mixed methods designs is utilized in different fields and areas and criminal justice is one of them. Criminological investigations could be successfully carried out using mixed method research designs that combine elements of quantitative and qualitative research. According to Brent and Kraska (2010), despite the fact that the approach of mixed methods research remains underutilized and underappreciated in modern-day criminology research, most criminological research can be said to be mixed methods research. In the criminal justice filed, the practice of mixed method research has existed for much longer that the brand name. During the early years of social scientific research, quantitative and qualitative research were used together and mixed method designs were an element of some of the most significant research of the time. It is however worth noting that in criminal justice, there has been a tendency of choosing one approach, either qualitative or quantitative research rather than taking a mixed methods approach. This has been the norm for a relatively long period of time. However, with the realization of the benefits associated with mixed methods designs, there has been an increase in their use in the criminal justice field. There is therefore a tendency of moving from either qualitative or quantitative research to a mixed methods approach in criminology (Brent & Kraska, 2010). The process of shifting to this approach is however slow since any change is usually associated with some form of resistance. Nonetheless, there is hope that the mixed methods approach will be fully embraced and utilized in criminal justice field as time progresses. The fact that qualitative and quantitative methods have earlier been used separately could make their integration a bit easier.

In summary, it is apparent that mixed methods designs are currently widely used in research proposals and studies as they gain popularity. There are various components of mixed methods research design such as definition and description of the design, making it clear that many different terms are used for the approach, informing the reader about the background of the mixed methods and providing statements on the rationale and value of the choice of mixed methods as an approach for the study as well as outlining of the type of the method to be used in the study and the rationale involved in choosing it. Different mixed methods research designs are associated with some strengths and weaknesses as discussed above. The mixed methods designs are used in different areas and fields such as in criminal justice.

References

Brent, J. J., & Kraska, P. B. (2010). Moving beyond our methodological default: A case for mixed methods. Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 21(4), 412-430.

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. London: Sage publications.