Walden University Week 2 Mixed Methods Research Design discussion

By Day 4 of Week 2

Respond to your colleagues by sharing suggestions and by asking questions related to their posts.

Developing My Understanding of Mixed Methods Research Design

As read the chapters from Plano Clark and Ivankova (2016), I was fascinated to identify the key concept of mixed methods research (MMR) integration of quantitative and qualitative research method which was used in a sequential manner in Box 1.1 (Buck, Cook, Quigly, Eastwood, and Luca as cited in Plano Clark & Ivankova, 2016) study on the attitude about learning score of African American students from low socio-economic communities and in Box 1.2 (Ruffin, Creswell, Jimbo, and Fetters as cited in Plano Clark & Ivankova, 2016) simultaneously collecting and analyzing the quantitative and qualitative research methods with the same population rather than from different attitude profile as in Box. 1.1, study.

Moreover, the two examples of MMR studies further revealed how integrating quantitative and qualitative methods would complement the relationship among variables and understanding the depth of individuals’ worldview and/or experiences based on their social, economic, political, and religious phenomenon of interests.

The themes throughout were clearly identified MMR, quantitative, qualitative, conceptual framework, theoretical, methodological, socio-ecological model, process, content, context, methods, other approaches, and quality. I might have to explore my research problem and purpose as to what, why, and how I would integrate both quantitative and qualitative research methods as illustrated in the Box 1.1 of the study.

Moreover, the theoretical and conceptual frameworks would include philosophical and methodological model to help design the practical aspects of pluralistic perspective and practice in MMR study based on socio-ecological model. For instance, sexual assault violent behavior in college and university campus is perceived from socio-ecological theories to determine the cause of substance abuse, delinquency, and other social issues.

The MMR process based on socio-ecological model includes the content such as definition, rationale, design, other approaches to methodology, and quality from a personal, interpersonal, and social context. For instance, Figure 1.3 provided the roadmap for researchers or how to identify the ingredients if one is planning to conduct the MMR study for health or behavioral sciences and provides guidelines for triangulation of quan -> QUAL methodological approaches, concurrently.

Similarly, Ivankova’s study provided effective measures for applying socioecological model based on Figure 1.4, for researchers who would like to conduct MMR study in the educational field. The socio-ecological model served the MMR process, content, and context for research practice in the sequential QUAN -> quan methodological approaches.

As I reviewed other sources for MMR design, I did not find socioecological framework in either Creswell and Creswell (2018) nor in Creswell and Plano Clark (2018) text books.

My question 1: Do I apply the socioecological framework in my research study for MMR design?

References

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed

methods approaches (5^th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research

(3^rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Plano Clark, V. L., & Ivankova, N. V. (2016). Mixed methods research: A guide to the field.

Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.