International Journal of Qualitative Methods: ARCHIVE
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“But I wanted to appear happy”: How using arts-based and mixed methods approaches complicate qualitatively driven research
No full textThe study of culture shock has been limited in terms of the use of mixed methods research and arts-informed approaches. The purpose of this research was to expand upon the understanding of culture shock through the use of a mixed methods research design that included arts-informed, qualitative, and quantitative procedures. This study used a concurrent parallel design where all three data types were collected simultaneously, analyzed separately, and then analyzed together. It is based on an information-rich sampling of 10 undergraduate students participating in a short-term study abroad program based in the United States of America that traveled to a South American country. All data were collected throughout the duration of the program: self-portraits and explanatory artist statements, open-ended reflective journals, and responses to a modified version of the Revised Sociocultural Adaptation Scale. The analyses of each of these sets of data (i.e., the initial analysis stage) revealed a complexity of emotions that students experienced as part of their culture shock, the impact of interacting with others, and their heightened experience of culture shock upon returning home. The integration of these findings resulted in a reconsideration of the qualitative data in terms of potentially highlighting the importance of interactions with locals while abroad as being particularly important to alleviate culture shock. The article concludes by considering the implications of the arts-informed data and the use of a mixed methods research design for the interpretation of the qualitative data and for qualitative researchers in general
Methodological Diversity in Language Assessment Research: The Role of Mixed Methods in Classroom-Based Language Assessment Studies
No full textAlthough an epistemic change often is labeled as a shift, some researchers representing the social sciences consider this paradigm shift as a paradigm expansion (e.g., Pollack, 2007) because epistemological and methodological diversity allows researchers to address a wider range of questions. The third paradigm, mixed methods (MM) research, is claimed to provide a more holistic picture of a research problem by combining two different data sources—quantitative and qualitative—in a single study (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2007; Greene, 2007; Teddlie & Tashakkori, 2009). This article discusses how mixed methods research approaches have been used to enrich the results and to enhance the rigor of classroom-based language assessment investigations, drawing on both the language testing and assessment (hereafter, language assessment) and classroom assessment literature in second language education. The article opens with a brief overview of the methodological evolution in language assessment research. Then, focusing on MM research studies that investigated various facets of classroom-based language assessment (CBLA) practices, the main part of this article outlines a proposal of MM methodology as an appropriate methodology for research on CBLA, particularly in a context where a new form of assessment is implemented. The article closes with a discussion of challenges that MM researchers might face, and a proposal of MM research methodology as an appropriate research approach for CBLA scholars, especially in settings where both the validation of assessment and the explanation of the phenomenon are required
Pretesting Qualitative Data Collection Procedures to Facilitate Methodological Adherence and Team Building in Nigeria
No full textQualitative methods are becoming widely used and increasingly accepted in biomedical research involving teams formed by experts from developing and developed practice environments. Resources are rare in offering guidance on how to surmount challenges of team integration and resolution of complicated logistical issues in a global setting. In this article we present a critical reflection of lessons learned and necessary steps taken to achieve methodological coherence and international team synergy. A series of 10 pretest interviews were conducted to assess instrumentation rigor and formulate measures to address any limitations or threats to bias and management procedures before carrying out the formal phase of qualitative research, contributing to an evidence-based stroke-preventive care clinical trial study. The experience of pretesting notably helped to identify obstacles and thus increase the methodological and social reliability central to conducting credible qualitative research, while also ensuring both personal and professional fulfillment of our team members
Exploiting the Qualitative Potential of Q Methodology in a Post-Colonial Critical Discourse Analysis
No full textThis conceptual article describes an approach I have taken when exploring the discourse associated with the teaching and learning of high school science in a given Caribbean location. Using a lens of post-colonial theory to guide the entire project, I employed an adaptation of the standard interpretation of Q methodology as part of a critical discourse analysis. In this article, I support and extend Shinebourne’s (2009) representation of Q methodology as a means of “expanding the repertoire of qualitative research methods” (p. 93), as described in a previous issue of this journal. Given the challenging nature of the research theme and the analytic perspective that I employed as a researcher, the standard Q methodology protocol was augmented, whilst retaining the essential attributes of Q technique. This approach proved engaging for participants and was fruitful in providing insight into the tensions between shared and particular participant perspectives. The resultant research strategy described in this article would be of particular interest to researchers from a qualitative background, particularly those working within a post-foundational framework, who would value support in conducting a critical discourse analysis
Blurring the boundaries between photovoice and narrative methods: gender-based research through narrative-photovoice
No full textPhotovoice provides alternative ways of doing research with schoolgirls, who are vulnerable and often under-acknowledged research participants. It is particularly valuable in dealing with sensitive topics such as gender-based violence, poverty and HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses. Photovoice is thus widely employed in disciplines such as health, education, economics, sociology, anthropology, and geography. Up until now, however, it has been predominantly underpinned by participatory action research and other community-based participatory related methodologies. This article explores the possibility of blurring the boundaries between photovoice and narrative inquiry to create a narrative-photovoice methodology for gender-based research. In this study, South African schoolgirls participate as coresearchers employing narrative-photovoice and reflect on the value and limitations of this methodology for making meaning of gender (in)equity in their everyday lives. The main findings are categorized into the following themes: (a) superstition and suspicion: a gatekeeper to gaining access, (b) embracing creativity, (c) moving beyond the abstract, (d) digital versus disposable camera, (e) and having fun while learning. In the conclusion, the authors reflect on the participants’ experiences of doing narrative-photovoice and highlight particular considerations for using this methodology
Timeline Mapping in Qualitative Interviews: A Study of Resilience With Marginalized Groups
No full textGrowing interest in visual timeline methods signals a need for critical engagement. Drawing on critical emancipatory epistemologies in our study exploring resilience among marginalized groups, we investigate how the creation of visual timelines informs verbal semistructured interviewing. We consider both how experiences of drawing timelines and how the role of the timeline in interviews varied for South Asian immigrant women who experienced domestic violence, and street-involved youth who experienced prior or recent violent victimization. Here we focus on three overarching themes developed through analysis of timelines: (a) rapport building, (b) participants as navigators, and (c) therapeutic moments and positive closure. In the discussion, we engage with the potential of visual timelines to supplement and situate semistructured interviewing, and illustrate how the framing of research is central to whether that research maintains a critical emancipatory orientation
Afterword
No full textContinuing the conversation: Unique mixed methods contributions to qualitative researc
Current mixed methods practices in qualitative research: A content analysis of leading journals
No full textMixed methods research (MMR) has become increasingly popular in recent years. Yet, methodological challenges of mixing qualitative and quantitative data remain. Understanding how MMR is approached in qualitative research journals provides insights into lingering mixing issues. In this article, we content analyzed five leading qualitative research journals from 2003 to 2014, which represents the reflective period of MMR. Of the 5,254 articles published, 94, or 1.79%, were mixed methods in nature, comprising 44 theoretically oriented articles and 50 empirical articles. In terms of theoretical articles, five content-based themes were identified: (a) MMR advocacy, (b) philosophy issues, (c) procedural suggestions, (d) practical issues and best practices, and (e) future directions. In terms of empirical articles, 36% used exploratory sequential designs, primarily to develop instruments, and 52% explicitly identified as MMR. None of the studies included MMR questions, and development (21%) and complementarity (14%) were the primary rationales for mixing. In virtually all studies (98%), mixing occurred at the data interpretation stage through some comparison of qualitative and quantitative research. Qualitative data were prioritized in 86% of the studies. Based on these findings, it appears that MMR affects qualitative research most directly by influencing study design and study purpose; however, there is a strong tendency to conduct and publish qualitative and quantitative studies separately. Recommendations for publishing future MMR are discussed
Combining qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods in understanding multiple sclerosis fatigue
No full textCombining qualitative inquiry with quantitative frequency data in a mixed methods research approach was valuable in understanding the strategies that people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) used to manage their fatigue. Understanding its management is important because fatigue is often described by people with MS as their most disabling symptom and can pervade all aspects of a person’s life. This research aimed to identify how often people used particular fatigue management strategies and the factors that influenced their use in the context of daily life. The methodology was Qualitative Description with phenomenological overtones using convenience sampling, interviews with semi-structured and structured components, and frequencies combined with typology development. Thirty-one people with MS from Chicago, Ill and Brisbane, Queensland in Australia who experienced fatigue were interviewed and asked to sort 15 cards with common fatigue management strategies into 3 categories, indicating whether they used them regularly, sometimes or never. Frequency counts were used to identify the number of participants who placed a specific strategy in a particular category. Frequencies were used to develop a typology with which to code the qualitative data. The strategies placed most frequently in each category were: Plan / organize the day used regularly, Ask someone for help used sometimes, and Use mobility devices never used. Mixed methods research techniques enabled us to explore the participants’ fatigue management in greater depth. Each data type (i.e., qualitative and quantitative data) complemented the other and led to a richer understanding than either could provide in isolation
Applying a transdisciplinary mixed methods research design to explore sustainable diets in rural South Africa
No full textThis article describes a conceptual framework for exploring sustainable diets, using a case study example of ongoing research in the Vaalharts region, a rural setting in South Africa. A qualitative research approach is followed with an integrated transdisciplinary mixed methods research design with multiple concurrent components employed during two sequential phases. A successful application of the framework is achieved through a collaborative team effort of researchers with qualitative and quantitative research expertise transcending different disciplines, as well as participation of community members throughout the research process. We demonstrate that transdisciplinary mixed methods research designs are essential to gain a better understanding of the complex concept of sustainable diets