One direction I have followed is to use the quantitative analysis to find patterns in the data, followed by a qualitative analysis to understand how and why those patterns arise.

Article Qualitative Content Analysis: A Guide to Paths Not Taken

Hi Manisha,

I guess you're doing mixed method study? It depends on your approach. If it's an explanatory study, then perhaps the best way is to initially describe the quantitative data. The qualitative then may follow by analysing your quantitative findings even further.

If you run a chi-square or ANOVA test, your qualitative data may help to explain how and why the particular patterns/findings appear.

If you haven't already you might want to check out Creswell's six mixed-methods design strategies, to determine which one you are using. This will help you to map out the narrative of your study. As Lupita Wijaya notes above, if your design is sequential explanatory (quantitative data to determine patterns and trends followed by qualitative to assist in the interpretation of those results), then it would make sense to report in that same order.

I note that you are writing a thesis, so I think there will be an expectation that you go into much more depth to explain and justify your choices, than if you were writing a paper.

One of the traps that early career researchers (including myself) may fall into is to assume that a study that includes both qualitative and quantitative data must be mixed-methods. You will probably need to make your case quite clearly.

Some questions to consider: what was the research design, why you have chosen that design, how do both types of data contribute to your research aims/questions, why is mixing data better than just including one or the other, how and when do the data 'mix', and why.

Best of luck to you.

Hi Manisha, your question pertains to the layout of the document that will house your research in narrative form. Your institution should have a broad format for you to follow. Within that format you should find various chapters. You should study your institutions completed works as well as other works. Research = enlightenment.

Thank you all for your valuable inputs.

I can recommend the following two articles on content analysis:

Elo, S., & Kyngäs, H. (2008). The qualitative content analysis process. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 62(1), 107-115.

Graneheim, U. H., Lindgren, B.-M., & Lundman, B. (2017). Methodological challenges in qualitative content analysis: A discussion paper. Nurse Education Today. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2017.06.002

Hsieh, H.-F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Three Approaches to Qualitative Content Analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277-1288. doi:10.1177/1049732305276687

I have used both combined qualitative and quantitative content analysis as well as combined deductive and inductive content analysis. You can find these articles from my profile.

I hope you will find the suggested articles useful.

Hello, Dear Shannon Mason

How great you explained.

Do you have a resource for knowing more about the mix method?