Examples Of Mixed Method

METHODOLOGY

Introduction

A mixed method approach has been adopted for use in this study. The rationale for combining quantitative and qualitative approaches is to aid the generation of a broader understanding of the data collected (Creswell, 2009). While the main is quantitative (utilising experimental measures and conditions), certain quantitative tools required further support. Therefore, a number of participants were interviewed with the aim of eliciting further understanding. Mixed method approaches are commonly regarded as more robust that singular approaches, and can offset limitations associated with one approach or the other (Creswell, 2009:4). For example, quantitative researchers have a limited connection to their subjects. Conversely,

Following this, other researchers were encouraged to use the approach. For example, some researchers combined interviews (qualitative method) with surveys (quantitative data; Sieber, 1973). Combining quantitative and qualitative research methods was primarily borne out of the aim to limitations associated with singular approaches (Jick, 1979). By the 1990s, the concept of mixing methods “…moved from seeking convergence to actually integrating or connecting the quantitative and qualitative data” (Creswell, 2009:14). In the last decade, mixed methods research has become more popular and is considered its own independent design (Tashakkori & Teddlie 2003; Creswell, 2009). Johnson and Onwuegbuzie (2004) consider mixed methods approaches to be especially useful in educational

Is there any relationship between Saudi college-level EFL students’ writing competence in L2 (English) and their L1 (Arabic) writing?

2. Is there a statistically significant gain in achievement from the treatment (Arabic lessons) to post-test scores?

Why use a quantitative design?

The pre-experimental method was used for two main reasons. The first relates to the cause-and-effect relationship that may be claimed from the investigation. Using a quantitative approach “allows the researcher to focus sharply on causal relations” (Neuman, 2007:201). The second relates to the need to explore many factors potentially influencing L2 writing learning.

Independent and dependent variables

A variable in quantitative research is “a characteristic or attribute of an individual or an organization that can be measured or observed and that varies among the people or organizations being studied” (Creswell, 2009:50). Independent variables are expected to cause influence or affect other (often termed dependent) variables (Creswell, 2009). In this pre-experimental design, L1 (Arabic) writing skill is the independent variable and Saudi EFL L2 English performance is the dependent variable.