Mixed Methods Research Questions Medium
Explanatory sequential, exploratory sequential, and transformative mixed methods research designs are three distinct approaches within the field of mixed methods research. While they share some similarities, they also have key differences in terms of their purpose, sequence of data collection and analysis, and overall research goals.
1. Explanatory sequential design: This design involves a two-phase process where quantitative data is collected and analyzed first, followed by qualitative data collection and analysis. The purpose of this design is to explain or elaborate on quantitative findings using qualitative data. The initial quantitative phase helps identify patterns or relationships, and the subsequent qualitative phase provides deeper insights into the underlying reasons or mechanisms behind those patterns. The goal is to enhance the understanding of a phenomenon by combining both quantitative and qualitative data.
2. Exploratory sequential design: In this design, the qualitative phase is conducted first, followed by the quantitative phase. The purpose of this design is to explore a research topic or phenomenon in-depth using qualitative methods, and then use quantitative methods to generalize or test the findings from the qualitative phase. The qualitative phase helps generate hypotheses or theories, and the quantitative phase helps validate or confirm those findings on a larger scale. The goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of a research topic by building on qualitative insights with quantitative data.
3. Transformative design: This design aims to go beyond traditional research approaches by actively involving participants in the research process and promoting social change. It emphasizes collaboration, empowerment, and social justice. The transformative design often includes participatory action research methods, where researchers and participants work together to identify research questions, collect and analyze data, and develop interventions or solutions. The goal is not only to generate knowledge but also to create positive social impact and empower marginalized communities.
In summary, the key differences between explanatory sequential, exploratory sequential, and transformative mixed methods research designs lie in their purpose, sequence of data collection and analysis, and overall research goals. Explanatory sequential design focuses on explaining quantitative findings with qualitative data, exploratory sequential design aims to explore a research topic using qualitative methods and then validate the findings with quantitative data, while transformative design seeks to actively involve participants and promote social change.