Strengths and Weaknesses of the Mixed Methods Approach

Qualitative Research Essay
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What are the strengths and weaknesses of the "mixed methods" approach in general, and as related to research in Education, as illustrated by the "mini" study (with the concentration on the qualitative component)?
The mixed-methods research design employs quantitative and qualitative procedures in a single study. It provides several advantages; including improving our grasp of the study challenges at hand, increasing the trustworthiness of acquired data, and verifying previously stated assumptions. For example, using a mixed methods approach in the mini-study led to credible research results, thus authenticating previous assumptions regarding the adverse impacts of Covid-19 vaccination, especially by augmenting the myocarditis risk. The mixed methods approach in education research can provide an in-depth understanding of complicated educational challenges by using qualitative processes that evaluate participant experiences, opinions, and voices. This is well-demonstrated in scholarly inquiry examining how teachers created a new reading curriculum using qualitative research methodologies (Estrada, 2017). The qualitative research produced a large amount of data, which was used to construct a detailed picture of the program's triumphs and failings. In addition, integrating qualitative and quantitative data sources (for example, using quantitative data from closed-ended questionnaires and transcribed interaction guidelines from the interviews, as well as verbal data from open-ended questions) in the mini-study helped the researchers establish highly fascinating divergences (Kelle, 2006). Data gathered with a closed-ended questionnaire demonstrated a clear picture concerning the participants' experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Accordingly, certain shortcomings of the mixed-methods strategy were revealed in the study. The qualitative part of the analysis received the most attention, and the quantitative aspect was not adequately integrated into the results. Because of the study's narrow scope and small sample size, its conclusions may not be applicable in other contexts. In the subject of education research, integrating qualitative and quantitative methodologies can yield excellent results (Hong et al., 2017). Other disadvantages of the method include a higher financial investment, challenges integrating qualitative and quantitative data in the same study, and the possibility of drawing incorrect conclusions from the results. However, researchers must consider the advantages and disadvantages of this technique and ensure that qualitative and quantitative data are adequately integrated and appraised (Kelle, 2006).
Which factors would should be taken account before considering a qualitative component in the dissertation research?
When determining whether to add a qualitative component to the dissertation study, it is crucial to consider certain factors. The inquiry should be clear about how the qualitative research would solve the problem and that the topic is appropriate for a qualitative investigation. In qualitative research, appropriateness is defined by how well the selected research approach corresponds to the co...