Question 1

Mixed methods approach combines qualitative methods that help understand ___ and quantitative methods that help reveal ___.&#10;A) general patterns; unique experiences&#10;B) unique experiences; general patterns&#10;C) general patterns; global trends&#10;D) idiosyncratic meanings; unique experiences

Accepted Answer

The mixed methods approach typically combines qualitative methods, which are useful for understanding unique experiences and perspectives, with quantitative methods, which allow researchers to uncover general patterns and trends in large datasets. Therefore, choice B is the best answer as it accurately reflects the complementary nature of these two types of methods in the mixed methods approach.

Question 2

The following statements about mixed methods designs are correct, EXCEPT:&#10;A) Any study using both qualitative and quantitative data is mixed methods research.&#10;B) A specific mixed methods design used in the study should be explained.&#10;C) Each mixed methods design has its specific logic for integration of methods.&#10;D) A convergent mixed methods design uses separate quantitative and qualitative analyses to triangulate results on a topic.

Accepted Answer

Not all studies using both qualitative and quantitative data are considered mixed methods research. Mixed methods research requires a deliberate and planned integration of both methods to address research questions or hypotheses.

Question 3

There are several typical mixed methods designs mentioned in the text. Which one of the following is NOT among them?&#10;A) Convergent study design.&#10;B) Divergent study design.&#10;C) Sequential explanatory design.&#10;D) Sequential exploratory design.

Accepted Answer

The other three options (convergent study design, sequential explanatory design, and sequential exploratory design) are all typical mixed methods designs mentioned in the text. Divergent study design is not a typical mixed methods design.

Question 4

Which one of the following research questions is best suited for a mixed methods study?&#10;A) Are the military expenditures on mental health care related to the length of service of a servicemember?&#10;B) What are the unique challenges of homosexual personnel in the military?&#10;C) Have the percentages of homosexual servicemembers in the military been increasing in the recent years?&#10;D) How are the trends in enlistment among homosexual servicemembers related to their unique challenges in the military?

Accepted Answer

A mixed methods study involves both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Option D involves both qualitative (unique challenges of homosexual personnel in the military) and quantitative (trends in enlistment among homosexual servicemembers) aspects that can be answered using a mixed methods approach. The other options are better suited to either quantitative or qualitative research alone.

Question 5

Among the following research questions, which one is the most fitting for a mixed methods study?&#10;A) How often are high school students with a history of conduct problems in school referred to family counseling services?&#10;B) What are the subjective experiences of children and parents with the family counseling services?&#10;C) How are the subjective experiences of children and parents in the family counseling program related to the likelihood of the child dropping out of high school?&#10;D) What percentage of high school students who completed the family counseling program have dropped out of school within the next year?

Accepted Answer

This research question requires both qualitative (to understand subjective experiences) and quantitative (to measure likelihood of dropping out) data, making it a good fit for a mixed methods study. A and D only require quantitative data, and B only requires qualitative data.

Question 6

To evaluate a ___ study, both the quantitative and the qualitative components need to be evaluated separately, before they are evaluated ___.&#10;A) longitudinal; by an auditor&#10;B) mixed methods; together&#10;C) mixed methods; by an auditor&#10;D) longitudinal; together

Accepted Answer

When evaluating a mixed methods study, it is important to evaluate both the quantitative and qualitative components separately before considering them together. This allows for a thorough evaluation of each component's quality and validity before assessing how they complement or contradict each other. Evaluating them together without separate consideration could result in overlooking potential weaknesses or biases in one or both components.

Question 7

When evaluating the qualitative results presented in a mixed methods study, it is important to pay attention to several key issues listed below. Which one of the following is NOT a key issue in the analysis of qualitative data?

A) Expert and participant feedback.
B) Disclosure of the researcher's background.
C) Inclusion of quotations and descriptions.
D) Statistical analysis of the results.

Accepted Answer

Statistical analysis is not a key issue in the analysis of qualitative data. Qualitative research focuses on understanding and exploring experiences, perspectives, and meanings, rather than numerical data that can be statistically analyzed. Key issues in the analysis of qualitative data include expert and participant feedback, disclosure of the researcher's background, and inclusion of quotations and descriptions.

Question 8

There are several important standards by which the presentation of quantitative results in a mixed methods study is judged. Which one of the following is NOT among these standards?&#10;A) Evaluation of preliminary results by an auditor.&#10;B) Supplementing tables with a discussion in the narrative.&#10;C) Providing descriptive statistics to inform inferential analyses.&#10;D) Overall cohesion in the presentation of quantitative results.

Accepted Answer

Evaluation of preliminary results by an auditor is not among the important standards by which the presentation of quantitative results in a mixed methods study is judged. However, supplementing tables with a discussion in the narrative, providing descriptive statistics to inform inferential analyses, and overall cohesion in the presentation of quantitative results are important standards in mixed methods studies.

Question 9

Besides the quality of analyses for both the quantitative and the qualitative components in a mixed methods study, ___.&#10;A) the findings are only valid if replicated&#10;B) the results need to be integrated&#10;C) the researchers must acknowledge the study is preliminary&#10;D) one of the components is always stronger than the other

Accepted Answer

Integration of the quantitative and qualitative components is a crucial aspect of a mixed methods study. It is not enough to have good analysis for each component separately, but the results must be integrated to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research question.

Question 10

There are certain validity issues that are unique to mixed methods research designs. Which one of the following issues is NOT unique to mixed methods?&#10;A) Does the data in the qualitative and quantitative components reflect the same population?&#10;B) Does the conceptualization of core ideas differ between the qualitative and quantitative components?&#10;C) Do the researchers acknowledge the limitations of their study?&#10;D) Does the mixed methods design limit the types of conclusions that can be made from the results?

Accepted Answer

The issue of acknowledging limitations of the study is not unique to mixed methods research designs. It is a general concern for all types of research designs. The other three issues are unique to mixed methods research designs.

Question 11

If the comparison between qualitative and quantitative data in a mixed methods study uncovers some surprising information or aberrant cases, what is the best strategy for the researchers to follow?&#10;A) Exclude the aberrant cases from the analyses to avoid contradictions.&#10;B) Subject the aberrant cases to a separate statistical analysis.&#10;C) Include the contradictory details and discuss them in the research report.&#10;D) Leave the particulars of aberrant cases for another study.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the comparison between qualitative and quantitative...

Question 12

Mixed methods studies should be conducted because of the ___, not because of the ___.&#10;A) fitting research questions; easy availability of data&#10;B) burning curiosity; parallel designs&#10;C) easy availability of data; fitting research questions&#10;D) easy availability of data; researcher's expertise

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mixed methods studies should be conducted because...

Deck 12: Evaluating Analysis and Results Sections: Mixed Methods Research