Qualitative approaches/Statistics

Mix method research is a methodology used to conduct research that involve data collection, analysis and integration of quantitative research like survey and experiments and qualitative researches like interviews and focus groups (Creswell, 2014). Mixed research method is an option when the combination of qualitative and quantitative research approaches provide a better understanding of a research under study than when either is used alone. Quantitate data includes close-ended information used to measure attitudes (for instance rating scales) behavior (for instance observation checklist) and performance instruments. Analysis of quantitative data consists of statistical analysis of scores collected on instruments like questionnaires or checklists used to test hypothesis or answer research questions (Creswell, 2015).

On the other hand, qualitative data comprises of open ended information gathered through observations, focus groups, and observations. Qualitative data include behavior, words, or text that follow the path of aggregating it to information categories and presents diversity of ideas obtained in data collection. Mixing both qualitative and quantitative data and research enables a research to obtain an in-depth and breadth corroboration and understanding while offsetting the inherent weakness that use of one method may cause (Creswell, 2015). For instance, when using observation, target population can alter their behavior making the collected information unreliable. To gather reliable information, therefore, a research can opt to use questionnaires too because they are answered at one’s pleasure and without interference since the respondents do not have to write their names. Also, observation can help a researcher collect information that was not included in the questionnaires. Consequently, it is evident that the methods supplement each other (Watkins & Gioia, 2015).

Mixed research methods are suitable when a research needs to corroborate the results obtained another method. Therefore, I will use mixed method when in need to inform another method. Moreover, when there is need to view a research question from another angle and clarify unexpected findings, I will use the mixed method research (Creswell, 2014). Moreover, if I will need to develop a theory in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) and test it, I will used mixed methods. Finally, I will use the mixed method research when generalizing qualitative research.

When conducting the project, I will survey techniques where questionnaires will be used to collect data.  I will develop a questionnaire that will exhaustively contain questions concerning inmates and former inmates. Besides, I will use the interviews in qualitative analysis. Qualitative analysis that is interviews, will supplement quantitative analysis (questionnaires) in a number of ways (Creswell, 2014). For instance, quantitative analysis experiences weak understanding of questions while qualitative research experiences biased interpretation (Watkins & Gioia, 2015). Therefore when the two are used, they supplement each other and each approach makes up for the weakness of the other approach.

Triangulation is the use of several methods, researchers, and sources to examine certain phenomenon (Creswell, 2015). Therefore when conducting my research, I will used triangulation. The reason for using triangulation is that it allows one to identify aspects of a phenomenon more accurately by approaching it from different angles using different methods and techniques (Watkins & Gioia, 2015). For the triangulation to be a success, I will ensure careful analysis of information provided by each method including the weaknesses and strengths of each.

In conclusion, to exhaustively tackle a research topic, researchers need to use mixed methods. Mixed methods allows for collection of accurate data since each techniques has a weakness that another method can cover up. Mixed methods ensures that information collected is reliable, accurate, and reproducible.

References

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications.

Creswell, J. W. (2015). A Concise introduction to mixed methods research. Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE.

Watkins, D. C., & Gioia, D. (2015). Mixed methods research. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press.