Is Mixed Methods
Research the Answer?
James
Dean Brown
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Date: Thursday 24th
March 2016
Time: 16.00 – 17.00
pm
Venue: Education
325, The University of Sydney
This
paper begins by defining the notion of research
in TESOL, then moves on to discuss the various characteristics of qualitative
and quantitative research, especially within the framework of a qual/quant
continuum, wherein qualitative and quantitative research characteristics
interact. The paper continues with a definition of mixed methods research
(MMR), then explains the most salient features of MMR, while distinguishing
among three main varieties of MMR: qualitative mixed, pure mixed, and
quantitative mixed methods research. The paper then addresses:
1.
How mixed
methods research is different from multi-method
research.
2.
How MMR can and should combine the best
features of qualitative and quantitative research with the goal of overcoming
the weaknesses of each of these research paradigms.
3.
How researchers can combine qualitative and
quantitative research strategies so they cross-validate each other by
identifying connections between the two and searching for convergence,
divergence, and elaboration.
Examples
of these techniques are drawn from a large-scale MMR that the presenter
recently conducted in Japan. MMR did indeed provide interesting answers.
Enquiry: Aek
Phakiti (aek.phakiti@sydney.edu.au).
This is a free seminar.
Map, visit http://sydney.edu.au/facilities/maps/guide_01.shtml
Map, visit http://sydney.edu.au/facilities/maps/guide_01.shtml