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    Mixed Research Methods A Research Paradigm Whose Time Has Come

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    This paper describes mixed research methods, which combine quantitative and qualitative approaches to gain a more complete understanding of a phenomenon. Mixed methods take advantage of the strengths of both approaches and minimize their weaknesses. The document explains the steps of the mixed research process, its main purposes and the fundamental decisions that a researcher must make when designing a study of this type. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of the research methods are listed.

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    Mixed Research Methods A Research Paradigm Whose Time Has Come

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    This paper describes mixed research methods, which combine quantitative and qualitative approaches to gain a more complete understanding of a phenomenon. Mixed methods take advantage of the strengths of both approaches and minimize their weaknesses. The document explains the steps of the mixed research process, its main purposes and the fundamental decisions that a researcher must make when designing a study of this type. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of the research methods are listed.

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    This paper describes mixed research methods, which combine quantitative and qualitative approaches to gain a more complete understanding of a phenomenon. Mixed methods take advantage of the strengths of both approaches and minimize their weaknesses. The document explains the steps of the mixed research process, its main purposes and the fundamental decisions that a researcher must make when designing a study of this type. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of the research methods are listed.

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    This paper describes mixed research methods, which combine quantitative and qualitative approaches to gain a more complete understanding of a phenomenon. Mixed methods take advantage of the strengths of both approaches and minimize their weaknesses. The document explains the steps of the mixed research process, its main purposes and the fundamental decisions that a researcher must make when designing a study of this type. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of the research methods are listed.

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    Mixed Research Methods A Research Paradigm Whose Time Has Come

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    This paper describes mixed research methods, which combine quantitative and qualitative approaches to gain a more complete understanding of a phenomenon. Mixed methods take advantage of the strengths of both approaches and minimize their weaknesses. The document explains the steps of the mixed research process, its main purposes and the fundamental decisions that a researcher must make when designing a study of this type. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of the research methods are listed.

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    of 3

    MIXED RESEARCH METHODS: A RESEARCH PARADIGM WHOSE TIME HAS

    COME

    Mixed methods research (mixed research is a synonym) is the natural complement


    to traditional qualitative and quantitative research . Mixed research methods offer
    great promise for research practice. Mixed methods research is formally defined
    here as the search where the researcher mixes or combines quantitative and
    qualitative methods, philosophically it is the "third wave ". A key feature of mixed
    methods research is its methodological pluralism or eclecticism , which often
    results in superior research.
    Philosophically, mixed research makes use of the pragmatic method and the
    system of philosophy, it is an inclusive and plural method. The goal of mixed
    research is not to replace quantitative research or qualitative research, but rather
    to use the strengths of both types of inquiry by combining them and trying to
    minimize their potential weaknesses .
    This methodology recognizes the value of knowledge as something that has been
    constructed through qualitative means such as perception and experience based
    on the factual aspects of the world in which people live.Another key characteristic
    of the mixed method approach is that it rejects the dualism established between
    qualitative or supporting facts and quantitative or subjective methodologies whose
    value is based only on the exclusivity of one and the other .
    Mixed research methods are the systematic integration of quantitative and
    qualitative methods in a single study in order to obtain a more complete “snapshot”
    of the phenomenon. These can be combined in such a way that the quantitative
    and qualitative approaches retain their original structures and procedures (“pure
    form”) or they can be adapted, altered or synthesized (“modified form”).
    In order to mix research in an effective way, researchers must first take into
    account all the relevant characteristics of quantitative research and qualitative
    research .
    Purists point out that qualitative research paradigms and quantitative research
    paradigms, including their associated methods , cannot and should not be mixed .
    However; The goal of mixed methods research is not to replace either of these
    methods, but rather to draw from both methods their strengths and minimize their
    weaknesses . Mixed research methods are also an attempt to legitimize the use of
    multiple approaches to answer research questions, rather than restricting or
    limiting researchers' options (i.e., rejecting dogmatism).
    For example, the main features of traditional quantitative research are a focus on
    deduction/confirmation, theory/hypothesis testing, explanation, prediction,
    standardized data collection, and analysis. statistical.
    The main characteristics of qualitative research are induction, discovery,
    exploration, theory/hypothesis generation, the researcher as the main "instrument"
    of data collection and analysis.
    The mixed methods research model process consists of eight steps:
    (1) Determine the research question
    (2) Determine the mixed design that is appropriate
    (3) Select mixed method or mixed model research design
    (4) Collect input information or data
    (5) Data analysis
    (6) Interpret the data
    (7) Legitimize the input data or information
    (8) Drawing conclusions (if justified) and writing the final report.
    There are five main reasons for conducting mixed methods research:
    (a) Triangulation (that is, the search for convergence and corroboration of the
    results of different methods and models that study the same phenomenon)
    (b) Complementarity (that is, the search for collaboration, improvement, illustration
    and clarification of the results of one method with the results of the other method)
    (c) Initiation (i.e., the discovery of paradoxes and contradictions that lead to the re-
    elaboration of the research question)
    (d) Development (i.e. how the results of one method are used to help explain the
    other method)
    (e) Expanding (i.e. seeking breadth and scope of research by using different
    methods for different query components).
    Mixed research actually has a long history in research practice.
    Most researchers are unaware that a better mixed approach will help them answer
    their research questions better.

    To construct a mixed method design, the researcher must make two fundamental
    decisions: (a) whether to operate largely within a dominant paradigm or not , and
    (b) whether to carry out the phases simultaneously, or sequentially. .
    The findings must be mixed or integrated at some point . Currently, the results
    must, at a minimum, be integrated during the interpretation of the results.
    In general , contingency theory is recommended for selecting the research
    approach, which accepts that different types of research (quantitative, qualitative
    and mixed research) are superior in different circumstances and it is the task of the
    researcher to examine the specific contingencies and take the decision about
    which research approach, or combination of approaches, should be used in a
    specific study.
    By bridging the gap between quantitative and qualitative researchers, mixed
    methods research has great potential to promote shared responsibility in the quest
    to achieve accountability for educational quality.

    Strengths and Weaknesses of Mixed Research


    Strengths
     Words, images and narrative can be used to understand numbers.
     Numbers can be used to add precision to understand images and narrative.
     A wider range of questions can be answered.
     A researcher can use the strengths of one method to overcome the
    weaknesses of the other method.
     The convergence of conclusions can help corroborate the results.
     The combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques together produce
    more complete knowledge.
    Weaknesses
     It may be difficult for the researcher to adequately mix both methods.
     Requires more time to complete.
     For some researchers, it is difficult to mix and analyze quantitative and
    qualitative data, interpreting results that are apparently contradictory.
    References:
    - Johnson, R. b. and Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Mixed methods research: A research paradigm
    whose time has come. Educational Researcher, 33(7), 14-26.
    - Taken from the page: http://practicadocentemexico.blogspot.mx/2013/03/metodos-de-
    investigacion-mixto-un.html

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