I have a couple of questions regarding my research. I am trying to develop strategies to facilitate the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems into modern health systems to improve adolescent sexual health outcomes. What are the challenges of using a mixed method research approach.
The research goal is to explore and understand the role of IKS in shaping adolescents’ sexual practices and develop and implement strategies that could be integrated into Modern Health Systems so as to discourage early and risky sexual experiences.
This research would be in 3 phases
Phase 1 Empirical Research
Identifying Indigenous Knowledge that influences sexual experiences in adolescents in this tribe in Plumtree;
Assessing the relationship and extent of influence of these Indigenous Knowledge on adolescent sexual experiences in Plumtree;
Assessing the potential of adopting some of the IK that could be incorporated into Health Systems for positively enhancing safe sexual practices or deter early engagement in sex;
Phase 2 Development of strategies
Developing strategies that leverage on identified key IKS to enhance Health System performance regarding management of adolescent sexual issues
Phase 3 Validation of strategies
Conducting stakeholder consultations to ascertain feasibility of the proposed strategies to be implemented.
I am having challenges on how i would integrate my mixed methods and I am also confused on whether to collect qualitative data first that would lead to my hypothesis or i collect quantitative data then seek more understanding through qualitative follow up
Dear Wilfred,
Your study design in my view should be determined by your research problem. Creswell's book, Research Design, would be very helpful. You may also want to read David L. Morgan's article, Paradigms Lost and Pragmatism Regained (See the link below). Since your study is about IKS, collecting quantitative data followed by qualitative explanation would make more sense if you have sufficient literature relating to IKS, particularly in the context of Zimbabwe. If not, it might be a good idea to have qualitative data first. My colleague, Dr Maunganidze, published an article last year on IKS and rural development in Zimbabwe. The article may help as you design your study (see the link).
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2345678906292462
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/23311886.2016.1266749
I have to defer to Mr. Faimau, and add that basing a research design on qualitative can be more of a mess than basing it on quantitative data.
Nick please shed some more light on your response. What do you mean it is more of a mess?
mix-method will make it possible to include those who were not recognised. They will give more clarity on what have worked for them and what they have experienced.
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