It is often observed that mixture of qualitative and quantitative data create debate among the scholars and they felt doubt on how appropriately these are done and actually how this mixture add value to a research. Let us share our own experiences and learning.
Last year there were over 3,000 studies using mixed methods that were listed in the Web of Science's Social Science Citation Index. So, there is a broad consensus that mixed methods are a valuable approach to research.
Let's flip that question. Why does mixed methodology work? For one, qualitative data can validate quantitative data. It expands upon the narrow succinct choices of a likert scale and provides a great understanding.
It aids in triangulation of the fundings, and enables more understanding of the quantitative data. Context, culture, perceptions etc..... gives more of a narrative to the meaning and reasons for the ‘figures’.
Yes, mixed method has been used as a check on our findings from quantitative or qualitative methods - triangulation, ii) complementarity; used for elaboration, enhancement, illustration and clarification of the results from one method with the results from another iii), development; sequentially uses the results from one method to help develop or to inform the other, iv), initiation; looking for contradiction and new perspectives in the hope of discovering why such contradictions exist as most researchers have a bias towards collecting confirming not disconfirming evidence, v) expansion, which is when breadth and range of inquiry is sought, by using different methods for different inquiry components.
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