Description
Applied Research Design using Mixed Methods is a three-day course focused on the practical aspects of research design in the context of mixed methods. The course covers the essential principles behind designing fundable research, including: developing clear objectives and crafting engaging research questions, choosing appropriate sampling strategies, and selecting effective data collection methods (qualitative and quantitative). A significant amount of time is spent on how to integrate qualitative and quantitative datasets in the context of mixed methods designs.
The course covers qualitative and quantitative techniques commonly used in the social/behavioral and health sciences – in-depth interviews, focus groups, participant-observation, surveys, and secondary data. Less common, but highly effective, methods are additionally described and include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), document analysis, network analysis, free-listing, vignettes/factorial surveys, direct observation, and projective techniques.
Real-world examples are used to illustrate concepts/methods and highlight common challenges associated with designing and implementing mixed methods research. Although this course is pragmatic in nature, some time is devoted to the history of, and theory behind, the field of Mixed Methods.
