Mixed Method Research Quantitative and Qualitative Research Approache

Question: Mixed-method research is more than merely combining quantitative and qualitative research approaches. There are design and analysis issues to consider. Leech and Onwuegbuzie (2008) offer an array of qualitative analysis techniques that include word count and standard content analysis. How might these techniques be perceived by both purely qualitative and purely quantitative researchers? Do these techniques offer additional evidence of the value of mixed-method research, or do they merely add to the confusion over which techniques to use? Answer: Mixed Method Research Is More Than Merely Combining Quantitative And Qualitative Research Approaches The work of a researcher in the process of research is the analysis stage where he extricates relevant meaning from the collected data and thereafter establishes research questions. This analysis stage is difficult for both types of researchers i.e., quantitative and qualitative. Qualitative research is based on analysis and inquiry depends on non statistical methods. Leech and Onwuegbuzie (2008) identified 18 qualitative techniques of data analysis. Most common qualitative analysis includes classical content analysis and word count. Classical content analysis is based on counting the number of codes and the word count is the analysis on the number of words utilized. (Williams Vogt, 2011) A quantitative research is the analysis and inquiry of people with statistical methods. It is a more systematic empirical analysis with the help of mathematical and numerical data. For a quantitative researcher, content analysis serves the purpose of transforming large data into less abstract format. Content analysis implies compressing large texts into categories recognizing the specified characteristics which are mostly done by a qualitative researcher. Word count or frequency analysis technique can be perceived by both the quantitative and the qualitative researcher to analyze his primary data collection. On the whole, qualitative researcher looks into the informal content of the text while a quantitative researcher focuses more on the numerical context. (Digitalmethods.net, 2015) Mixed method of research is the combination of the qualitative and quantitative research and is done by collecting, analyzing and mixing of the two types of methods. Whether qualitative techniques add value to the mixed method is in question. For an outcome of any research to be optimal, mixed method is used using qualitative content analysis and word count. The outcomes can achieve better quality of interpretations; include advanced evidences and other enriching factors. Hence, the techniques are not confusing but it gives a better understanding to the research. (Creswell, 2015) References Creswell, J. (2015).Controversies In Mixed Methods Research(1st ed.). SAGE Publications. Retrieved from https://www.sagepub.in/upm-data/40426_Chapter15.pdf Digitalmethods.net,. (2015).QuantContentAnalysis MoM digitalmethods.net. Retrieved 18 February 2015, from https://www.digitalmethods.net/MoM/QuantContentAnalysis Williams, M., Vogt, W. (2011).The SAGE handbook of innovation in social research methods. Los Angeles: SAGE.