Fundamentals of Mixed Method Designs

Designing Mixed Methods studies

A ‘mixed methods’ approach to research design typically involves researchers combining ‘elements of qualitative and quantitative research approaches for the purposes of breadth and depth of understanding and corroboration’ (Johnson et al 2007:123).

 

 
Level 1 - runs over 5 days
Instructor: 

Nicola McNeil is an Associate Professor of HRM and the Head of the Department of Management and Marketing at the La Trobe Business School.  Nicola is currently working on several research projects in the areas of gender and work, work-life balance and the impact of high performance work practices on employee wellbeing. She has received research grants and consultancies from the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Australian Federal Government, VicHealth, and a variety of industry partners and not-for-profit organisations.  Her research has been published in leading journals including the Journal of International Business Studies, the International Journal of HRM and European Sport Management Quarterly.

Nicola is a leading educator and teaches classes in employment relations, human resource management and research methods to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Nicola is also an instructor for the Australian Consortium of Social and Political Research Inc (ACSPRI) and offers courses on the use NVIVO and mixed methods research designs.

Course dates: Monday 6 February 2017 - Friday 10 February 2017
Course status: Course completed (no new applicants)
Week: 
Week 3
About this course: 

In this course, we will examine the key features of this type of research design.  We will discuss the foundations of such an approach and the advantages and challenges of this design; explore the different types of mixed method design;  critically analyse the challenges associated with the design and implementation of each design type; and the analysis and write-up of mixed method studies. 

 

This course is designed for participants with an introductory-level understanding of qualitative and quantitative research techniques.  Participants will have an opportunity to develop, or work on their own mixed method study during the course.  Participants will be invited to work in small teams and present a mixed method design in a poster session on the final day of the course.

Course syllabus: 

Day 1:  Introduction

Topics covered include:  Defining mixed methods research; when to use a mixed method design; advantages and disadvantages of mixed method designs; a brief history of the development of mixed method designs; philosophical underpinnings of mixed method research.

 

Day2:  Mixed method designs (1)

Topics covered include:  selecting the appropriate mixed method design for your project; convergent parallel designs; explanatory and exploratory sequential designs; examples of mixed method studies.

 

Day3: Mixed method designs (2)

Topics covered include:  embedded mixed method designs; transformative designs; multi-phase designs; further examples of mixed method studies.

 

Day 4: Analysing data and writing-up mixed method studies

Topics covered include:  analysing and interpreting data in mixed method research; validation and evaluation techniques; guidelines for writing-up mixed method designs

 

Day 5: Presenting your mixed method designs and Conclusions

Activities include: poster sessions; discussions and feedback; summary of course.

Recommended Background: 

It is strongly recommended that that you attend either Fundamentals of Statistics and/or a qualitative research course or alternatively have equivalent experience in either discipline prior to attending this course.

Recommended Texts: 
  • Johnson, R.B., Onwuegbuzie, A.J. and Turner, L.A. (2007) ‘Towards a definition of mixed methods research’. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(2): 112-133.
Course fees
Member: 
$1,950
Non Member: 
$3,700
Full time student Member: 
$1,930
Participant feedback: 

Enjoyed mix of content ie didactic examples of publications, reflections , interactive conversations and group work (Summer 2015)

 

Good explanatory notes and powerpoints. Great use of examples. Presenters balanced/complemented each other well. (Summer 2015)

 

Understanding of key concepts; discussion facilitated questions/answer, Group members were also very knowledgeable. Provided a clearer picture of MMR (Summer 2015)

 

It consolidated and built on my understanding and has equipped me with a language and clear conceptual framework and approaches that will help my supervision and own projects. Interaction with other class members was brilliant. (Summer 2015)

 

It will help me design my own research support my studies and critically evaluate grants and manuscripts. It also just extends my own thinking even about methods generally. (Summer 2015)

Notes: 

The instructor's bound, book length course notes will serve as the course text.