In my PhD thesis I have used a mixed method research design (explanatory sequential design). First, I conducted survey and then on the basis of results of survey, I planned my qualitative study. In qualitative phase data were collected through focus groups. From John Creswell (Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches) I understand that my “results” chapter will have three sections: first, results of quantitative phase; second, results of qualitative phase, and third, an explanation of quantitative results with qualitative findings. I am confused about “discussion” chapter. Should I present the findings (and implication thereof) of both phases differently or should I go for a general discussion of findings? Please guide me.
Thanks and Regards…
I can comment as a PhD candidate who is about to start writing his thesis. With virtue of my research so far, which is multidisciplinary in nature, I have realized that "discussion" chapter structure varies among the disciplines. In pure IT, the discussion is usually part of the results and not that extensive, whereas in social sciences, discussion is quite extensive-containing findings, implication as well as comparison with previous similar studies.
In my opinion, by looking at your profile, I would suggest to keep results form qual and quan studies in results. Answer directly the research questions/hypothesis in the same. Take findings and the explanation using both quant and qual study in the discussion chapter.
Honestly, there is no hard and fast rule. The most important thing is the flow, like a fairy tale, making things clear to a reader who is not from your field. This is what I do.
Good Luck!
I can comment as a PhD candidate who is about to start writing his thesis. With virtue of my research so far, which is multidisciplinary in nature, I have realized that "discussion" chapter structure varies among the disciplines. In pure IT, the discussion is usually part of the results and not that extensive, whereas in social sciences, discussion is quite extensive-containing findings, implication as well as comparison with previous similar studies.
In my opinion, by looking at your profile, I would suggest to keep results form qual and quan studies in results. Answer directly the research questions/hypothesis in the same. Take findings and the explanation using both quant and qual study in the discussion chapter.
Honestly, there is no hard and fast rule. The most important thing is the flow, like a fairy tale, making things clear to a reader who is not from your field. This is what I do.
Good Luck!
How to write "results" and "discussion" chapters of explanatory sequential study?
Agreed with the points shared by Ali i.e. there is no hard & fast rule and the results & discussion sections should be depicted with a smooth logical flow on how you discuss the integration between the quantitative & qualitative results. Also to help readers follow through the whole thesis / article flow, you can draw some pictorial diagram e.g. Ivankova & Stick's (2006) Sequential Explanatory Design procedures etc. The way how you structured your mixed method research question(s) & answering them also can influence how you write your discussion. You can refer to my following article as an example how to write the results & discussion sections. Wishing you all the best.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259478672_Relationship_between_Team_Satisfaction_and_Project_Performance_as_Perceived_by_Project_Managers_in_Malaysia_-_A_Mixed_Methods_Study
Article Relationship between Team Satisfaction and Project Performan...
Thank you Ali, for your suggestion.
I have presented the results of quantitative study and qualitative study separately. I am going to discuss the findings and implications thereof in "discussion" chapter.
Thank you Fung, your article is really a great help. It has given me more clarity about the presentation of results and findings.
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