Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research

by Creswell, John; Plano Clark, Vicki

• ISBN13: 9781412927925
• ISBN10: 1412927927
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-08-18
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc

Summary

"The text is well conceived, well written and timely. It provides a sound bases for establishing mixed-method research as a rigorous approach for advanced graduate students, evaluators and researchers. I predict it will become a classic."A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A a??N. Dale Gentry, Professor and Dean Emeritus, University of Idaho "The most significant challenge today in social and behavioral research is how to combine qualitative and quantitative thinking in a way that helps us provide relevant insights and solve problems. This book takes an important step toward addressing this challenge." a??Carol A. Chapelle, Iowa State University Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research , spearheaded by John Creswell--the author of the best-selling Research Design (now in its Second Edition ), combines the latest thinking about mixed methods research designs with practical, step-by-step guidelines for the decisions that must be made in designing a mixed methods research study. "Mixed methods research" is defined as a procedure for collecting, analyzing, and mixing both quantitative and qualitative data in a single case study or series of studies and is becoming more common in studies across the social, behavioral, and health sciences as well as education. The book offers advice tailored to negotiating the demands and issues that arise when designing a mixed methods project. The recommendations offered focus on how to keep the project manageable for the beginning researcher while still ensuring quality research. Key Features: Offers a practical, how-to guide for designing a mixed methods study Presents examples from actual, published mixed methods studies drawn across the social, behavioral, health, and education disciplines Incorporates activities and exercises for classroom use or for use by the researcher in preparing designs Contains a full glossary of terms for quick reference or as a study tool Illustrates designs using visual diagrams and flowcharts Goes through the entire research process (formulating questions, designing, collecting, interpreting, etc.) using four major types of mixed methods designs While much has been written about mixed methods from a conceptual and theoretical approach, this is the first book to deliver practical guidance about how to design a mixed method study. In additon, click here to learn about the Journal of Mixed Methods, the upcoming journal edited by John W. Creswell and Vicki L. Plano Clark.

Table of Contents

List of Tables

List of Figures

Preface Purpose of This

Book Audience for the Book

Book Features

Acknowledgments

Understanding Mixed Methods Research

Purpose and Organization Clarifying Terms

What Is Mixed Methods Research?

The Importance of Mixed Methods Research

Summary Activities Additional Resources to Examine

Examining Preliminary Considerations Consider Worldview Stances

The Basics of Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Research Problems Addressed by Mixed Methods

Summary Activities Additional

Resources to Examine

Locating and Reviewing Mixed Methods Studies Searching for and Reviewing

Mixed Methods Studies

A Mixed Methods Notation System and Visual Diagrams

Four Examples of Mixed Methods Studies

Summary Activities Additional Resources to Examine

Choosing a Mixed Methods

Design Classifications of Mixed Methods Designs

The Four Major Types of Mixed Methods Designs

Selecting a Type of Mixed Methods Design

Implementing the Design

Decisions Writing a Paragraph to Identify a Study's Design

Summary Activities Additional Resources to Examine

Introducing a Mixed Methods Study Writing a Mixed Methods

Title Stating the Problem in the Introduction

The Purpose Statement Research Questions and Hypotheses

Summary Activities Additional Resources to Examine

Collecting Data in Mixed Methods Research

Procedures in Qualitative and Quantitative

Data Collection Data Collection in Mixed Methods Design

Summary Activities Additional Resources to Examine

Analyzing Data in Mixed Methods Research

Procedures in Quantitative and Qualitative

Data Analysis Data Analysis

With Mixed Methods Designs

Summary Activities Additional Resources to Examine

Writing and Evaluating Mixed Methods Research

General Guidelines for Writing Organize the Structure of the Writing

So That It Relates to the Designs Evaluating a Mixed Methods Study

Within Designs Summary Activities Additional Resources to Examine

Questions Often Raised

About Mixed Methods Research Anticipate Mixed Methods Questions

What Is Mixed Methods Research?

Is Mixed Methods Research Accepted?

Is Mixed Methods Research Realistic?

Summary Activities Additional Resources to Examine

Future Directions for Mixed Methods Research

Needed Developments in Mixed Methods Research

Summary Activities Additional Resources to Examine

A Triangulation Design

An Embedded Design

An Explanatory Design

Appendix D. An Exploratory Design

References

Index

About the Authors

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