Course Rationale

Mixed methods research represents a growing third paradigm in conducting research, with an increasing body of work in health, social sciences, and education. The rich and diverse literature from this academic community can be intimidating, presenting a significant challenge to novice researchers, and therefore we expect this course and the readings to be popular across several faculties. There is a special focus on the work of mixed methods research in the evaluation community as exemplified in the work of Jennifer Greene. However, emerging designs in the field of health such as embedding qualitative designs in RICs are also considered.

 

Course Description

Mixed methods research is the type of research in which a researcher or team of researchers combines elements of qualitative and quantitative research approaches for the broad purposes of breadth and depth of understanding and corroboration (Johnson, Onwuegbuzie, & Taylor, 2007). This course provides a conceptual foundation into the world of mixed methods or mixed research. Appropriate worldviews (mental models), typologies, methods of integrated analysis, and approaches to sampling are considered as well as current practice in the field. The body of work in mixed methods evaluation is analysed and case studies considered. Key issues and challenges are also considered. Teaching is through workshops and online modalities with both coursework and examinations in the assessment. For the coursework, students are expected to prepare a research proposal with an explicit mixed methods design.

 

Content

 

Mixed Methods Research Designs: Issues and Applications

 

1)    A history of the mixed method movement

1. The paradigm wars

2. The community today

3. Rationale for mixed methods

4. Mixed methods in the field of evaluation

 

2)    Mixed method designs

1. Current typologies

2. Quantitative dominant

3. Qualitative dominant

4. Equivalent designs

 

3)    Implementing mixed methods

1. The research process

2. Integration

3. Mixed method Research Questions RQs and sampling

4. Mixed Methods (Integrated) analysis

 

4)    Quality in mixed methods

1. Criteria for quantitative studies

2. Criteria for qualitative studies

3. Bespoke criteria

 

Aim/Goal

To develop competence in designing and conducting mixed methods research.

 

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the participants will be able to:

1. choose appropriately from various mixed methods design variants for given research situations;

2. read critically, mixed methods studies in the literature;

   1. describe the advantage of combining quantitative and qualitative data in mixed methods evaluation

   2. analyze data using mixed analysis approaches.

 

Teaching/Learning Strategies

• Lectures

• Tutorials

• Tutor-led Seminars

• Student-led Presentations and Discussions

 

Assessment

40% Coursework

Students will develop a proposal for a mixed methods study.

 

60% Examination

Three extended response questions to complete in a three-hour examination. Core areas are (1) History & Controversies, (2) Designs & Typologies, and (3) Implementation & Quality

Course Calendar

 

Week	Topics	Assessment/Activity/ Modality
Week 1	Introduction to Course/Overview of Course Requirements The History of Mixed Methods Research	Face-to-face Lecture/ Discussion
Week 2	Mixed Methods - Emerging Theory	Face-to-face Lecture/ Discussion
Week 3	Mixed Methods Controversies	Face-to-face Lecture/ Discussion
Week 3 Tutorial	Exploring mm controversies-the issues and personalities	Face to Face
Week 4	Mixed Methods Design – Quantitative Dominant	Face-to-face Lecture/Discussion
Week 5	Mixed Methods Designs – Qualitative Dominant	Face-to-face Lecture/Discussion
Week 6	Mixed Methods Designs – Equivalent and Innovative	Face-to-face Seminar/Workshop
Week 6 Tutorial	How novices should use or not use design typologies	Face to Face
Week 7	Mixed Methods Implementation – Process	Online Lecture
Week 8	Mixed Methods Implementation – Sampling	Online Tutorial
Week 9	Mixed Methods Implementation – Integrated Analysis	Online Tutorial
Week 9 Tutorial	Integrated Analysis-Practice	Face-to-face Group Work
Week 10	Mixed Methods Implementation – Organization	Face-to-face Tutorial
Week 11	Mixed Methods Research – Issues of Quality	Face-to-face
Week 11 Tutorial	Proposal Development/ Writing mm Manuscripts	Face-to-face
Week 12	Further Help on Assignment	Face to Face/ Student Presentation
Week 13		Assignment Due