Graduate Studies

 

First Advisor

Wayne Babchuk

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Department

Educational Psychology

Date of this Version

12-5-2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Comments

Copyright 2023, Elizabeth Svoboda

Abstract

Mixed methods research collects, analyzes, and integrates rigorous qualitative and quantitative methods to gain a deeper understanding of a phenomenon than would be gained by using either method alone. Integration is one of the key features of mixed methods research and consists of mixing qualitative and quantitative research in a systematic way to generate new inferences or follow-up studies. However, the process of integration can be challenging to draw on expertise in both qualitative and quantitative methods, decide when and how to integrate qualitative and quantitative research, and combine multiple data sources in a coherent way to generate new inferences. The purpose of the current study is to explore the value added by using joint displays to represent integration in mixed methods research. An explanatory sequential design is used to collect the quantitative phase survey data to examine the effect of reading a mixed methods study with or without a joint display on participants’ perceived value of the study, followed by the qualitative phase interviews to provide insight on how joint displays and integration are achieved. The rationales for conducting the current mixed methods research study include complementarity to examine completeness of findings and development to inform the sampling and measurement. Quantitative and qualitative research are integrated at the design, data collection, data analysis, and interpretation and reporting levels using an explanatory sequential design, connecting, merging, joint displays, and narrative weaving. The current study contributes to the field of mixed methods research by providing insight into the ways joint displays add value to mixed methods research, including comprehension, design, and clear labels. The qualitative findings shed additional light on how integration in mixed methods research is achieved in a logical progression, with a specific rationale and design to generate inferences. There are implications for accurately representing and interpreting integration procedures. Developing further insight into the ability to draw clear interpretations and conclusions provides support for mixed methods research as a rigorous scientific approach. Adviser: Wayne A. Babchuk

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