Introduction to Mixed Methods Research
Not currently scheduled | Bring this course to your institution and group of at least 10 by hosting a CCRAM session. Inquire using the form here.
Integration stands as a fundamental characteristic of mixed methods research, distinguishing it from qualitative or quantitative approaches. Scholars using mixed methods research require specialized integration skills to effectively leverage their existing qualitative and quantitative expertise. Integration demands careful planning and thoughtful execution, and researchers often face challenges in navigating this complex process and providing evidence. Despite the acknowledgment of integration's significance, there is a notable gap in guidance for researchers seeking to use mixed methods to tackle complex questions in diverse fields. Addressing this gap is essential for ensuring that mixed methods researchers can maximize the potential of their studies through robust and well-informed integration practices.
Participants in this course will learn how to distinguish credible mixed methods research and have opportunities to ask questions about recent integration practice advancements. Discussions of the many perceived (and real) integration challenges when designing, executing, and disseminating mixed methods research will provide foundational understandings for participants to engage in the design of their own mixed methods research projects.
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Cheryl Poth, PhD
In this course, you will learn to:
- Identify the key features of a credible mixed methods research study.
- Plan and design mixed methods research with integration in mind.
- Formulate mixed methods research questions that reflect the purpose of integration.
- Select appropriate integration strategies to answer the mixed methods research question.
- Create visuals to convey integration evidence in designs, procedures, and findings.
- Use joint displays for planning, conducting, and reporting purposes.
The course meets in person usually for two days from 9.00am to 5.00pm each day.
This course will be helpful for researchers in many fields who have some experience in both qualitative and quantitative research. Mixed methods research contributes valuable insights to and appears in fields as diverse as business, health sciences, psychology, sociology, and education. The flexibility of mixed methods makes it a versatile tool, enabling researchers to tackle complex questions in diverse fields and bridge the gap between qualitative depth and quantitative breadth. While some familiarity with mixed methods research would be helpful. No prior experience conducting mixed methods research is assumed.
Upon completing this course, you will be able to
- Determine the suitability of research problems for a mixed methods approach
- Evaluate the quality of literature in your field that uses mixed methods research.
- Identify feasibility challenges and ethical considerations inherent to mixed methods research.
- Distinguish among common mixed methods research designs.
- Make informed choices about data collection, analysis, and integration procedures.
A certificate of completion from the Canadian Centre for Research Analysis and Methods is provided at the end of the course.
In this course, we do not cover some of the more advanced mixed methods research practices. Most notably while we talk about different types of software that can be helpful we do not use analysis software in the course.