Strengths and Weaknesses of the Envisioned Method and Design The strengths and weaknesses of mixed methods designs are important to take into consideration for this study (Creswell, 2002).
Strengths of this method: Quantitative methods are always attributed to natural science (positivist) whereas qualitative methods are often associated with social science (interpretivist) (Mingers, 2006). Mixed method merges both (qualitative and quantitative methodologies) in one study. For instance, mixed method researchers use numbers to be more precise when describing a picture or words. Hence, strengths for both studies (quantitative and qualitative) can be applied to mixed research method as well.
The following points will
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It is very expensive. It demands more time to plan and to be completed.
3. Findings may be difficult to be interpreted.
4. The research design can be very complex; discrepancies can be unclear and hard to be corrected.
5. It requires more resources to collect and analyze both types of data.
6. Quantitative or qualitative results of the first phase of the study may fail to demonstrate significant differences for the second phase.
7. This method requires a consistent and clear presentation so that the audience can easily and accurately follow the procedures and the findings.
8. Researcher needs to be familiarized with multiple methods and displays the ability to mix each one of them effectively.
9. Methodological purists only believe in either qualitative or quantitative research. Alternatives methods not applicable This section brings out the characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research methods. It is interesting to note that none of them can cover the complete set of any research group. In other words, to reach to a better understanding and assessment, outcomes from a qualitative study can influence and add to the quantification of certain elements in order to conduct a quantitative
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When researchers use quantitative method, they cannot confirm that the sample will be a representation of the population (Creswell, 2002).
2. In a quantitative research, an investigator relies only on numerical data (Charles &
Mertler, 2002).
3. Researchers use post positivist claims for developing knowledge, such as cause and effect thinking, reduction to specific variables, hypotheses and questions, use of measurement and observation, and test of theories. For instance, a researcher may ignore variables and may causally relate them to determine the magnitude and frequency of relationships.
4. A researcher himself/herself may determine which variables to investigate and chooses instruments, which will provide valid and reliable and scores.
5. This research does not consider people’s behavior and opinions and does not leave room for any understanding of either context or setting in which people can be observed. Participants are not allowed to bring any input.
Qualitative method:
1. Researchers generate a “complex, holistic picture, analyzes words, reports detailed views of informants, and conducts the study in a natural setting” (Creswell, 2003). Nevertheless, findings cannot be