Discuss and Critique a Mixed Methods Research Study [WLOs: 1, 2] [CLOs: 2, 4]
Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum, read the instructor guidance, the mixed methods section of Chapter 7 and all of Chapter 10 in the Creswell and Creswell text, and Chapter 2: Formulating Questions, Conducting a Literature Review, Sampling Design, and the Centrality of Ethics in Mixed Methods Research of the Hesse-Biber ebook. Your instructor will post an announcement with the reference for the mixed methods research study you will discuss and critique in this discussion. The study will be found in the UAGC Library. Refer to the Library resource How Do I Find an Article When I Have a Citation? (Links to an external site.) if you need help finding the article.
In your initial post, consider the following:
What is the research question? Does the research question clearly call for both qualitative and quantitative methods?
Which type of mixed methods research design was used?
What procedures were used to recruit participants for the quantitative sample and the qualitative sample? Were the sample sizes appropriate? Why or why not?
What ethical considerations were mentioned in the research report? What applicable ethical considerations can you think of that were not mentioned by the researchers?
Would you have designed the study differently after evaluating how well the researchers carried out each part of the study? If so, how?
Would a mixed methods approach be suitable for the research topic you chose in Week 1? Why or why not?
As you prepare for this discussion, be sure to read the instructor guidance for Week 4 and the assigned book chapters listed in the discussion prompt. This week’s topic is mixed methods research. Please note that the term “mixed methods” refers to research that uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. If a study uses two methods of the same type (two qualitative methods or two quantitative methods), it is called “multi-methods.”
In this discussion, you will work together to discuss and critique a published mixed methods research study. The reference for the assigned study is shown at the bottom of this post.
Three basic mixed methods designs are the convergent, explanatory sequential, and exploratory sequential designs. In the convergent (also called concurrent) design, the researchers conduct both the qualitative and quantitative parts of the study separately but at the same time. Then they compare the findings of the two parts to see if and how they agree.
The two sequential mixed methods designs involve one method being used first, and then the other method is used to provide additional information. The explanatory sequential design starts with a quantitative method and then uses a qualitative method to find an explanation for the results. The exploratory sequential design is the opposite, starting with a qualitative method to discover new knowledge, then going to a quantitative method to find out how widespread and generalizable the findings are.
Assigned study:
Xiang, X., Cheng, J., Zuverink, A., & Wang, X. (2020). Perceptions and practice behaviors regarding late-life depression among private duty home care workers: A mixed-methods study. Aging & Mental Health, 24(11), 1904-1911. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2019.1636207
