Hi
I have undertaken 3 studies for my thesis, each answered a separate research question. However, together they answer the overall thesis question. I am not sure whether given that I used a qualitative method in study 1, and then quantitative methods in study 2 and 3 that this would be regarded as using mixed method, or, do I discuss each method separately within the "methods"chapter.
Thanks
Dear Erini, it is common in research to have a broad goal that needs to be adequately addressed with more than a single objective using either a quantitative or qualitative technique or both. So the issue of mixed method does not arise as a problem.
Each of the objectives has to put up separately as a research question or hypothesis and investigated appropriately.
One of the key elements in a mixed methods study is the extent to which you integrate the two sets of results. If you simply used two methods to study the same topic, but did not do any systematic comparison of the results, that would not fit most definitions of mixed methods research.
Dear Erini Abdelmessih,
Mixed methods research focuses on integrating qualitative and quantitative findings. Creswell and Plano Clark document this integration well. If you wish to do mixed methods research (specifically, with a focus on integrative these two sets of findings), it might help to have a specific research question on this integration - how do you see your qualitative and quantitative results complement or inform each other? With this research question centered on integration guiding your research, mixed methods can also be explained in your methods section. If there is no mention of integrating the qualitative and quantitative findings, then as you mentioned, the methods section should discuss both the qualitative and quantitative methods separately. I hope this helps!
All the very best,
Jessica
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