Choosing Research Approach and Methods Dr. Kay Davis Choosing Research Approach and Methods 4/3/2019

What is your general Approach to Inquiry? Dr. Kay Davis 4/3/2019 Quantitative Post-positivist; identified measureable variables; research questions or hypotheses; looking to assess relationships Qualitative Interpretive; inductive from the data; exploring & discovering Mixed-Methods Collects and analyzes both qualitative and quantitative data persuasively and rigorously What is your general Approach to Inquiry?

Approaches to Research Dr. Kay Davis 4/3/2019 Approaches to Research Quantitative Research Qualitative Research Examines the relationships among variables by collecting and analyzing numeric data expressed in numbers or scores using standardized measurement instruments Focuses on exploring individuals’ experiences with a phenomenon of interest by collecting and analyzing narrative or text data expressed in words and images using broad open- ended questions. Plano Clark & Ivankova (2016). Mixed Methods Research. Sage Publications

Mixed-Methods Research Dr. Kay Davis 4/3/2019 Mixed-Methods Research Combines the inquiry approaches into a specific research design that directs the study Frames procedures in a single phase or multiple phases Collects and analyzes both qualitative and quantitative data persuasively and rigorously Mixes or integrates the two forms of data Gives priority to one or to both forms of data Creswell & Plano Clark. (2011). Designing & Conducting Mixed Methods Research. Sage Publications

Quantitative methods are best when: Dr. Kay Davis 4/3/2019 Quantitative methods are best when: Characteristics being studied can be clearly measured with a research tool Known “measured” variables are tested for relationships

Capture of variables To determine relationships among variables Dr. Kay Davis 4/3/2019 Quantitative Data Data Collection Strategies Goal for Analysis Capture of variables Survey Structured Observations Data Mining Statistical analysis To determine relationships among variables

Qualitative methods are best when the Dr. Kay Davis 4/3/2019 Qualitative methods are best when the Purpose is to understand an area where little is known or where previously offered understanding appears inadequate (biased or partial) to understand phenomena deeply and in detail To construct a theory or theoretical propositions To make sense of complex situations, multi-context data and changing and shifting phenomena

Interpretive process Qualitative Data To make sense of complexity Dr. Kay Davis 4/3/2019 Qualitative Data Data Collection Strategies Goal for Data Analysis Multiple sources Field notes, existing documents (artifacts), interviews, audio and video tapes Intention is to learn from the participants to process the way they experience a phenomena To learn the meanings they express and how they interpret what they experience Interpretive process To make sense of complexity To obtain new understandings To develop conceptual models or taxonomies

Basics of Mixed Methods Dr. Kay Davis 4/3/2019 Basics of Mixed Methods Two Forms of Data Captured using two different data collection strategies Quantitative Data Captured with a Survey Process Qualitative Data Captured with an Interview Process

Planning A Mixed Methods Study Dr. Kay Davis 4/3/2019 Planning A Mixed Methods Study Research Purpose & Questions Sampling Collection Analysis Methods: Timing, Integration & Priority of Data Inference and Application Integration of Findings