Mixed Methods Social Research Methods 2113 6501 Spring

Mixed Methods (混合方法) Social Research Methods 2113 & 6501 Spring, 2007 May 23~24, 2007 1

A note on this lecture: • This lecture is a very brief introduction on mixed methods, since its formal and complete treatment is somewhat complicated and beyond the scope of this course. (在此僅將混合方法做一 簡短的介紹，正式完整的解釋有些複雜，且超出 這門課的範圍。) • My main purpose: to provide you some basic knowledge about this latest methodology approach. (目的: 對社會科學最新的研究取向有一 基本了解) 2

What is the “mixed methods” approach? • A “new” methodology movement in social sciences (最新 的研究取向，但其實研究者已經使用此法很長一段時間， 只是最近才獲得認可與正式的討論) – In fact, scholars have long used mixed methods in social sciences, but this approach only gained recognition recently. • It literally means to use two or more methods in the same research; methods could be qualitative or quantitative. ( 意思是在一研究中使用兩種(含)以上的方法，質性或量化 方法則不拘。) • No formal Chinese translation yet, I tentatively call it “混 合方法. ” (沒有正式的中文譯名，引用時最好附上英文名詞 ) 3

A formal definition of “mixed methods”: 混合方法的正式定義 • “ A mixed methods study involves the collection or analysis of both quantitative and/or qualitative data in a single study in which the data are collected concurrently or sequentially, are given a priority, and involve the integration of the data at one or more stages in the process of research. ” (Creswell et al. 2003: 212) (混合方法: 在一研究中，使用了兩種以上的 量化及(或)質性資料蒐集與分析的方法，但 其中一個方法比較重要。資料蒐集可以同 時或循序進行，在研究過程中要留意不同 性質資料的整合。) 4

Why “mixed methods? ” • Q: Why not just use quantitative or qualitative method? Why uses both? • A: Quantitative or qualitative method each has its own inherent weakness but would be greatly strengthened when combined with the unique qualities of the other. (為什麼要使用質性及量化兩種方法? 每個研 究途徑有其潛在弱點，聯合使用時可以互 補，各自的特點更能彰顯。) 5

The advantages of mixed methods (混合方法的優點): • To provide answers to research questions that other methodologies cannot furnish (對其他研究 途徑不能回答的研究問題提供答案) • To corroborate the findings for stronger inference (結果互相佐證，推論根據愈強) • To provide a more elaborate and richer understanding of a phenomenon (對社會現象有 更豐富完整的了解) • To present divergent views for alternative explanations, improvements in the testing method, or new research directions (提供多元、 不同的解釋，改進研究方法，提供新的研究方向) 6

The disadvantages of mixed methods (混合方法的缺點): • More time, cost, and efforts in carrying out mixed methods research (時間、心力、經濟成本都比較 高) • Need to be familiar with both quantitative and qualitative research, but little training has been offered by universities (必須學習質性及量化研究， 但一般課程很少強調此點) • Its theoretical foundation is still being contested ( 理論基礎仍有待爭論) 7

An important thing to remember: • When using mixed methods, you need to follow the procedures of quantitative or qualitative method. Your research questions, sampling strategies, and inferences have to be consistent with each method. • You must respect the “methodological integrity” of each method. (注意: 使用混合方法時，必須遵循質性或量化方法 的特性，研究問題、抽樣策略、推論等都必須依 照各方法的要求。) 8

So, how to mix methods? Consider four criteria (使用時，考慮四個類 別: ) • Implementation (執行) • Priority (優先程度) • Integration (整合) • Theoretical Perspective (理論面向) 9

Six Major Designs of Mixed Methods: Sequential Explanatory Design • Most straightforward, aim to explain (此法直接清楚) • Collect and analyze quantitative data first, then collect and analyze qualitative data (先搜集量化資料，再蒐集質 性資料，ex: 先問卷調查，再深度訪談) • Priority is on quantitative data (重點在量化資料) • Integrated during the interpretation phase of the study (詮 釋資料時將兩種資料合併) • Use qualitative results to assist in explaining and interpreting quantitative findings (質性資料是幫助解釋量 化分析結果，提供脈絡) • Easy to implement, easy to describe and report (比較容 易執行，資料整合比較進行) • But the length of data collection may be long (資料蒐集時 間可能較長) 11