Mixed Methods Research Advantages And Disadvantages

Introduction This part of the project is reserved for the research methodology. A little more clarity will be made on the type of research approach that is chosen, namely mixed methods, its advantages and disadvantages. The particular selected data collection method will briefly be explained, as well as the sampling. Lastly, the ethical consideration associated with the type of research study will be covered.

Research design According to Vogt (1993, p. 196, cited in Hussey & Hussey, 1997, p. 114) research design is the art and science of planning procedures for conducting studies in order to get the most valid findings.

For this particular research will be used mixed methods design. This is a research design with philosophical

In it the researchers are given permission to use all of the tools available for data collection rather than being restricted to the particular types of data collection that is typically associated with qualitative or quantitative research;

- It helps to answer questions that cannot be answered by quantitative or qualitative methods alone;

- It encourages researchers to collaborate across the at times adversarial relationship between both types of researchers;

- Mixed methods research encourages the use of multiple paradigms or worldviews rather than just the typical association of certain paradigms for qualitative and others for quantitative researchers. It also encourages us to consider a paradigm that might encompass both types of research, such as pragmatism, or using multiple paradigms in one

The questions are focused on the recruitment process for candidates for senior and executive management positions and its effect on the company (culture, ROI, resources, etc.) and on the customers (service, retention, attraction, image, etc.). Both closed and open-ended questions are permitted for that collection method.

For the quantitative data collection a quantitative study is conducted via a questionnaire. Again, the questions involved in this questionnaire are somewhat similar to those of the qualitative interviews.

Sampling

As it is known a critical part for every research is to decide and find the perfect most appropriate sample. For the qualitative part of the mixed methods approach, the sample involves 10 interviews which are conducted within the company. As for the quantitative study, in the sample 250 participants have filled out the questionnaire. The reasons for this choice are that the size is considered appropriate for the type of research (mixed method) and is representative of the chosen population, therefore the data collected has a high probability of being considered as valid and reliable.

Ethical considerations There are a few ethical concerns coming from both qualitative and quantitative research methods that should be considered. These