Deck 8: Mixed-Methods Research

Question 1

Mixed-methods strategies of inquiry do not include ______.

A) correlational studies
B) surveys
C) interviews
D) a single methodology

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The steps for conducting mixed-methods research include ______.

A) description or explanation
B) determining whether the study is feasible
C) analysis of techniques that are uncommon
D) a rationale that is always evolving

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which of the following is an aspect to consider when managing research strands?

A) semiotics
B) historical
C) comparative
D) timing

Answer 3

D

Question 4

A(n) ______ level of interaction occurs when the researcher mixes the two methods, which can occur at different points in the process but must occur prior to the final interpretation of results.

A) interactive
B) independent
C) interdependent
D) interaction

Question 5

The data required for mixed-methods studies are determined by ______.

A) the researcher's preferences
B) the suggestions made by the institutional review board
C) the study's goals/questions
D) none of these

Question 6

______ timing occurs when a researcher implements both quantitative and qualitative strands simultaneously during the same phase of the study.

A) Combination
B) Concurrent
C) Sequential
D) Multiphase

Question 7

It is ______ for mixed-methods researchers to provide a justification for the study.

A) necessary
B) unnecessary
C) irrelevant
D) suggested

Question 8

Conclusions in mixed-methods research may also be drawn ______.

A) illogically
B) inconsistently
C) identically
D) concurrently

Question 9

What does mixed-methods research include?

A) observational design
B) transformative design
C) distinctive design
D) directional design

Question 10

Mixed-methods studies differ from quantitative studies and qualitative studies because ______.

A) they ensure a comprehensive set of approaches for examining topics
B) only mixed-methods research studies contains analysis at the end of the study
C) quantitative studies offer narrative analysis
D) mixed-methods studies are quicker and require less work

Question 11

Mixed-methods strategies of inquiry ______.

A) rely on two data forms
B) narrow the number of participants
C) tend to control variables
D) don't require knowledge of research

Question 12

______ is one reason to conduct mixed-methods research.

A) Planning development stages
B) Planning sampling strategies
C) Locating primary/secondary sources
D) Generalizing exploratory findings

Question 13

Which of the following is one of the three areas of the research process in which the mixing of quantitative and qualitative approaches occurs in mixed-model research?

A) the type of investigation
B) the views of the researcher
C) the previously collected data
D) the importance of the research

Question 14

______ refers to the relative importance or weighting of quantitative and qualitative methods as a means of answering the guiding research questions.

A) Key order
B) Priority
C) Weight
D) Value

Question 15

Conclusions in mixed-methods research may be drawn ______.

A) sequentially
B) divergently
C) analytically
D) prematurely

Question 16

In regard to the types of mixed-methods research, there are ______.

A) two models of mixed-methods research reviewed in the text
B) no limited number of mixed-methods research reviewed in the text
C) four models of mixed-methods research reviewed in the text
D) six models of mixed-methods research reviewed in the text

Question 17

When the methods are implemented in a recursive process, ______ are used.

A) double arrows
B) brackets
C) plus signs
D) single arrows

Question 18

The purpose of conducting mixed-methods research studies is ______.

A) important to the researcher
B) to investigate by measuring variables
C) to investigate the quality of a given topic
D) to investigate a topic from different perspectives

Question 19

Which of the following characterizes the steps for conducting mixed-methods research?

A) They are identical to qualitative/quantitative studies.
B) They are similar to qualitative and identical to quantitative studies.
C) They are similar to qualitative/quantitative studies, yet different.
D) They are objectively determined for each unique study.

Question 20

A need for mixed-methods research exists because one data source may be ______.

A) irrelevant
B) excessive
C) insufficient
D) pointless

Question 21

Determining the validity of mixed-methods research ______ the process of determining the validity of both quantitative and qualitative research.

A) further enhances
B) interrupts
C) trumps
D) parallels

Question 22

Which of the following is a weakness of mixed-methods research?

A) They are seen as too practical.
B) Research questions rarely need two types of data.
C) They cannot employ research teams.
D) Researchers may have their own limitations.

Question 23

According to the text and the discussion of the mixed-methods notational system, ______ indicates that a method is embedded within a larger design or procedure.

A) a single arrow
B) double arrows
C) brackets
D) parentheses

Question 24

In a(n) ______, the researcher collects quantitative and qualitative data at the same time.

A) explanatory design
B) convergent design
C) sequential design
D) embedded design

Question 25

The extent to which the two strands of research (quantitative and qualitative strands) remain independent or interact with each other is the ______.

A) strand relationship
B) level of interaction
C) independent level of interaction
D) interactive level of interaction

Question 26

The ______ is used when a researcher collects and analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative data within traditional quantitative or qualitative designs.

A) explanatory design
B) convergent design
C) sequential design
D) embedded design

Question 27

Which of the following is not a mixed-methods research design?

A) convergence parallel design
B) explanatory sequential design
C) exploratory sequential design
D) the transactional design

Question 28

Which of the following describes the multiphase research design?

A) It is not typically used in comprehensive program evaluation studies.
B) It combines both sequential and concurrent strands over a period of time.
C) Individual phases of study are completely separate
D) Decisions are made within the context of a transformative framework.

Question 29

A(n) ______ is a component of a study that encompasses the basic process of conducting quantitative or qualitative research, such as collecting and analyzing data.

A) facet
B) strand
C) feature
D) element

Question 30

______ data provide understanding through greater depth, whereas ______ data provide broader, more general understanding.

A) Qualitative; quantitative
B) Quantitative; qualitative
C) Mixed-methods; only qualitative
D) Mixed-methods; both qualitative and quantitative

Question 31

According to the text, there are six examples of research problems that are suited for mixed-methods techniques, including which of the following?

A) A need exists to explain the initial results.
B) A need exists to disprove the initial results.
C) A need exists because one data source is sufficient.
D) A need exists to satisfy the researcher.

Question 32

If the phases of data collection are simultaneous, or occur relatively close in time, we refer to the study as a ______; if the phases of data collection are distinctly separated by substantial periods of time, we might refer to the study as a ______.

A) multiphase mixed-methods study; multiproject quantitative study
B) multiphase mixed-methods study; multiproject qualitative study
C) multiproject mixed-methods study; multiphase mixed-methods study
D) multiphase mixed-methods study; multiproject mixed-methods study

Question 33

The clear identification and specification of a research topic is the ______ step in any study.

A) first
B) second
C) third
D) final

Question 34

______ deals with the temporal relationship between quantitative and qualitative strands in a mixed-methods study.

A) Timing
B) Sampling
C) Objectivity
D) Mixing

Question 35

Over the past decade or more, interest in the use of mixed-methods research as a means for studying educational topics and phenomenon has ______.

A) declined
B) plateaued
C) grown substantially
D) grown slightly

Question 36

Which of the following is a strength of mixed-methods research?

A) It is still growing and developing.
B) The strength of one can offset the weakness of another.
C) It is seen as less practical, but more through.
D) Researchers focus on one type of data.

Question 37

______ is defined as the intentional integration of a study's quantitative and qualitative strands.

A) Purposeful combination
B) Sampling
C) Combination theory
D) Mixing

Question 38

The ______ occurs in distinct interactive phases.

A) explanatory design
B) convergent design
C) sequential design
D) embedded design

Question 39

Mixed-______ studies are more complex than mixed-methods.

A) model
B) design
C) collection
D) research

Question 40

Mixed-methods research designs focus on the duality of ______.

A) data collection, research questions, and interpretation
B) data collection, research questions, and publication
C) data collection, analysis, and interpretation
D) data collection, analysis, and publication

Question 41

Over the past decade or more, interest in the use of mixed-methods research as a means for studying educational topics and phenomenon has diminished significantly.

Question 42

Knowledge of the notational system is paramount to mixed-methods research.

Question 43

There may be a particular research situation where a theoretical perspective dictates the need to collect both quantitative and qualitative data.

Question 44

Many research studies require multiple research phases, which may or may not be viewed as individual, separate studies.

Question 45

Research questions may require both types of data to fully answer the research question.

Question 46

The clear identification and specification of a research topic is the third step in mixed-methods research.

Question 47

Explanatory sequential design occurs in two phases: qualitative, and then quantitative.

Question 48

In some research situations, a second method can be added to provide enhanced understanding of some phase of research that has not yet been conducted.

Question 49

A strand is a component of a study that encompasses the basic process of conducting qualitative research.

Question 50

A thread is a component of a study that encompasses the basic process of conducting quantitative or qualitative research

Question 51

Creswell and Plano Clark (2011) have identified at least 17 typological schemes for classifying the variety of mixed-methods research designs.

Question 52

Embedded design involves layering a strand of qualitative research into a quantitative study.

Question 53

Exploratory design is conducted in the opposite sequence of explanatory design.

Question 54

You must draw conclusions, inferences, and recommendations directly from the interpretation of results from the data analysis.

Question 55

The multiphase design is, typically, used in comprehensive program evaluation.

Question 56

Integrating different types of data collection and analysis is usually a short and seamless process.

Question 57

In mixed-methods research, you should develop a thorough written review of the pertinent body of literature.

Question 58

Convergent design collects quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously.

Question 59

Using both types of data in a single research study provides depth as well as breadth.

Question 60

Care must be taken to ensure that data are collected, so they parallel the specified mixed-methods research design.

Question 61

Discuss four key decisions a researcher must take while deciding on an appropriate mixed-methods research model to employ.

Question 62

Explain how an embedded design is implemented.

Question 63

What are the four possible points of interface between quantitative and qualitative strands?

Question 64

Explain why it is acceptable to combine some of the justifications for using mixed-methods designs.

Question 65

What is the major characteristic of mixed-methods research?

Question 66

Discuss one strength of mixed-methods research.

Question 67

What does it mean that "a need exists to best employ a theoretical stance?"

Question 68

What does it mean that "a need exists to explain initial results?"

Question 69

According to the text, mixed-methods research designs are differentiated by three factors. What are these distinguishing factors?

Question 70

Discuss one weakness of mixed-methods research.

Question 71

Discuss three questions a researcher may have to answer in order to develop a clear and sound rationale for conducting a mixed-methods study.

Question 72

Explain the importance of identifying the appropriate mixed-methods design.

Question 73

Discuss the possible prioritization options for any mixed-methods design.

Question 74

Discuss the three methods for classifying timing.

Question 75

According to Creswell and Plano Clark, during the process of deciding on an appropriate mixed-methods research model to employ, the researcher must make four key decisions. List these decisions.

Question 76

Describe the difference between mixed-methods and mixed-model designs.