This strategy may also be useful when developing and testing a new instrument Characterized by: An initial phase of qualitative data collection and analysis followed by a phase of quantitative data collection and analysis.Purpose: To use qualitative results to assist in explaining and interpreting the findings of a quantitative study.Characterized by: Collection and analysis of quantitative data followed by a collection and analysis of qualitative data.Six Mixed Methods Design Strategies (Creswell, 2003) Will a theoretical perspective be used?.What does the integration stage of finding involve?.What method takes priority during data collection and analysis?.What is the implementation sequence of data collection?.His framework involves four decisions to consider and six strategies.įour Decisions for Mixed Method Designs (Creswell, 2003, p. Methodologist John Creswell suggested a systematic framework for approaching mixed methods research. Little guidance on transformative methods.Can be difficult to decide when to proceed in sequential designs.Some designs generate unequal evidence.Resolving discrepancies between different types of data.Can position research in a transformative framework.Helpful in designing and validating an instrument.Can help generalize, to a degree, qualitative data.Can be useful when unexpected results arise from a prior study.To address a theoretical perspective at different levels.To address a question at different levels.To overcome the weaknesses of a single design.To complement the strengths of a single design.The simple answer is to overcome the limitations of a single design. Interpretation is continual and can influence stages in the research process.Data collection can involve any technique available to researchers.Sample sizes vary based on methods used.Research problems can become research questions and/or hypotheses based on prior literature, knowledge, experience, or the research process.Design can be based on either or both perspectives.The field of mixed methods has only been widely accepted for the last decade, though researchers have long been using multiple methods, just not calling them “mixed.” Mixed methods research takes advantage of using multiple ways to explore a research problem.