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Mixed Method and Action
Research Designs
Chapter 12
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Mixed Methods Designs
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Designs combining quantitative and qualitative
approaches to collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and
reporting data
Advantages
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Incorporates the strengths of both qualitative and
quantitative approaches
Provides a more comprehensive view of the phenomena
being studied
Does not limit the data being collected
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Mixed Methods Designs
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Disadvantages and limitations
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Requires expertise in both methods
Requires extensive data collection and resources
It is popular to claim the use of mixed method
design even though one method is used
superficially
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Mixed Methods Designs
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Three types of designs
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Explanatory
Exploratory
Triangulation
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Mixed Methods Designs
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Explanatory designs
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Quantitative data are collected first with qualitative data
collection following
Use of a questionnaire to provide an overview of students’
attitudes toward drug testing programs followed by several
in-depth interviews of specific students with positive and
negative attitudes (i.e., maximum variation sampling) to
understand how those attitudes were shaped.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Mixed Methods Designs
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Exploratory designs
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Qualitative data are collected first with quantitative data
collection following
A few interviews with students and a content analysis of
several surveys allowed a researcher to determine the
important factors around which an attitudinal scale on drug
testing programs was developed. Administration of this
survey gave an overall view of students’ attitudes to a
specific program being used at a local school.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Mixed Methods Designs
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Triangulation designs
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Quantitative and qualitative data are collected at
the same time to provide a more comprehensive
and complete set of data
The use of a scale addressing attitudes toward
drug testing programs could be administered to
the students in a school. Information from focus
groups and interviews could be used to confirm
the conclusions drawn from the survey.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Mixed Methods Designs
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Seven steps to conduct mixed method research
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Determine the feasibility of a mixed method design
Determine the rationale for a mixed method design
Determine the data collection strategies and designs
Determine the specific research questions
Collect data
Analyze data
Write the report
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Mixed Methods Designs
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Evaluating a mixed method design
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Each approach has been done well
Examine the rationale and then apply appropriate
quantitative or qualitative criteria
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Action Research
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A systematic investigation conducted by
practitioners
Action research is done to provide
information immediately to improve teaching
and learning
Emphasis is on teachers, counselors and
administrators, who carry out the research
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Action Research
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Benefits of Action Research
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Creates mindset for school improvement
Enhances decision-making
Promotes reflection and self-assessment
Instills a commitment to improvement
Creates a more positive school climate
Impacts practice directly
Empowers those to participate
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Action Research
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Conducting Action Research
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Select a focus or topic for study
Determine your design and data collection
strategies
Summarize and interpret the data
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Action Research
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Consumer Tips for Evaluating Action
Research
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Determine motivation and involvement of the
researcher
Look for consistency between research question
and methodology
Look for whether multiple methods of data
collection have been utilized
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Action Research
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Consumer Tips for Evaluating Action
Research
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Confirm that there has been an emergent, cyclical
process of research-action-reflection
Determine the presence of external monitoring or
feedback
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008