Test Your Understanding
Question 1:
When analyzing data from a large epidemiological survey, a researcher discovers that her main hypothesis was not supported. She decides to conduct a qualitative study to attempt explain these negative findings and to get a better understanding of why the hypothesis was not supported. This is an example of what type of mixed methods research design?
Incorrect: Exploratory mixed methods are a type of mixed methods design in which qualitative data are gathered first with the goal of generating insights that are used to inform the content and design of subsequent quantitative research.
Correct: Explanatory mixed methods designs are a type of mixed methods design in which quantitative data are collected and analyzed prior to the collection and analysis of qualitative data. Qualitative data are gathered to explain earlier quantitative findings.
Incorrect: Convergent mixed methods designs are a type of concurrent mixed methods designs in which qualitative and quantitative data are gathered at the same time, but separately from one another, analyzed separately, then the results are compared.
Incorrect: Multiphase mixed methods designs are a type of mixed methods in which three or more phases of data collection are combined.
Question 2:
As part of a larger qualitative study, a researcher wanted to obtain some additional quantitative information about the frequency of specific behaviors. As such, he inserted several quantitative questions into the qualitative interview guide. This is an example of what type of mixed methods design?
Incorrect: Exploratory mixed methods are a type of mixed methods design in which qualitative data are gathered first with the goal of generating insights that are used to inform the content and design of subsequent quantitative research.
Incorrect: Convergent mixed methods designs are a type of concurrent mixed methods research designs in which qualitative and quantitative data are gathered at the same time, but separately from one another, analyzed separately, then the results are compared.
Correct: Embedded mixed methods designs are a type of research in which a small amount of either qualitative data or quantitative data are included within a larger qualitative or quantitative study. Open ended questions within a quantitative study are another example of an embedded design.
Incorrect: Multiphase mixed methods designs are a type of mixed methods in which three or more phases of data collection are combined.