The classic format for an exploratory sequential design is qual --> QUAN. In particular, this design uses a smaller qualitative study to explore issues related to the research question, in order to generate a more effective quantitative study. The most common example is gathering qualitative data to help create a survey instrument.

Creswell and Plano-Clark would classify a QUAL+quan design as "convergent," meaning that two strands are usually carried out separately and then brought together in the overall analysis.

Regardless of the terminology, however, the key issue is how you will integrate your quantitative results with your QUAL results. Can you tell us more about the nature of your quantitative data and the purpose that it serves within your overall project?

Hi David,

Thank you for your response. I believe there may be a misunderstanding between the terms "explanatory" and "exploratory" sequential design. Based on my understanding and Creswell's explanation, qualitative research plays a central role in the exploratory design, as depicted in the attached figure.

In my study, I commenced with the qualitative phase, conducting interviews with 12 participants. Through this process, I identified and categorized nine themes derived from the interviews. Subsequently, I proceeded to develop a survey for the quantitative phase. The survey incorporated eight scales, and I have successfully collected the necessary data. However, I am currently facing challenges in structuring the quantitative chapter. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions, ideas, or outlines to assist me in this endeavour.

Thank you once again for your input.

You are right about Creswell's use of the terminology, but I strongly disagree with his views on the topic. The key point is that in an exploratory sequential design, the goals of the quantitative study drive the design of the qualitative study. Hence, my choice of qual --> QUAN.

Your description of using a qualitative study to generate content for a quantitative survey is a good example of a qual --> QUAN exploratory sequential design. Note that the choice of both your topic for the preliminary study and your end product from that study were all driven by the needs of the quantitative study, hence the dominance of the QUAN portion of the overall project.

Thank you for your invaluable insights. However, I would like to clarify that the primary reason for my reliance on the quantitative approach was to ensure the generalizability of the unforeseen data discovered in the qualitative phase of my research. In the ensuing discussion, I intend to employ the qualitative phase to thoroughly elucidate and corroborate the quantitative data.