Over the course of my sociology degree, I figured…I knew that if I continued in the field, I would be a qualitative researcher. The idea that I might have to use quantitative methods seemed ridiculous. I was not in sociology for the math, I was there for the justice! The experience of my fellow human was up to me to dissect, analyze, and present as everything right or wrong with the world! Stories were the real data!
As one might imagine, things have changed. My youthful idealism and vigor (due to knowing how the world worked) shifted to a more realistic view thanks to professional development coupled with various reading of articles. Now, I am able to see the value of quantitative research methods.
Although, I did find value in “hard” data during my undergrad. There must be a place for it somewhere, I thought. So I devised a plan to impress my 300 level research methodology professor. I was going to break ground and do what no other had ever considered attempting…I was going to use both! The marriage of Quantitative and Qualitative methodology. What a novel, creative, and unique idea!
I was wrong about that too. Mixed methods are not new and have been used and debated for quite a long time. After reading the article Assessing The Quality Of Mixed Methods Research: Toward A Comprehensive Framework, as a researcher, I’ll take a pass on mixed methods. Well, I want to pass on this methodology. I know I’ll have to use the best fit, but the article frightened me. As a reader, I doubted the practicality; here seems to be so much to consider independently and then, one has to consider the overlap of much of the mixed method framework. The possibility of missing a consideration is amplified due to the sheer number of quality tests.
I may have to reconsider my preferred (perceived) research method of choice. However, if I were to a subject to be researched, I would want to believe the researcher was not considering their most familiar research methodology, but the one that would make my participation the most applicable.
Link to article: Assessing The Quality Of Mixed Methods Research: Toward A Comprehensive Framework by A. O’Cathain (2010)
July 11, 2019 at 11:36 pm
Interesting post! I enjoyed reading through your take on mixed methods. In my mind it makes sense to combine them as it seems that it come closer to sharing the whole picture. Your post caused me to take a second look at a previously formed idea.
July 14, 2019 at 1:12 pm
My journey to becoming a teacher was very different than I think most others. Tech Ed teachers go through a program specifically to become shop teachers and thus we really write very few papers and do no traditional academic research. I find it really interesting reading about your journey and thoughts on research. I appreciate you sharing. Personally, I think I like qualitative research for the same reasons you do but I feel a mixed methodology would likely have a far more solid findings.