In dissertation writing, while planning the methodology chapter you are supposed to choose a research approach. Generally, students only know about two types of research approaches. The first one is the qualitative research approach, while the second one is the quantitative approach. I bet you have not heard about the third one i.e., mixed approach. In this type of research approach where you can use qualitative as well as quantitative approaches. You cannot select mixed research approach randomly; rather, you need to decide it on the basis of the objective and problem statement of the research. This article is all about the mixed approach that you can use in academic writing.
What Are Mixed Method Strategies?
A mixed strategy is the combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Its aim is to deeply analyse the problem at hand. For example, you can see use of this approach in the field of psychology. So if your academic writing is about psychology or something else that demands detailed analysis, you have to use mixed approach. Its application is particularly widespread at the organisational level when it comes to developing insight on new products.
It would not be wrong to say that a mixed approach does not let you to get confused about any aspect. Using this approach, you understand things in a better way. Another effective use of the mixed approach is in the sector of investigation. If you have to investigate something in your academic writing, you can collect more evidence by following a mixed approach. In the same way, it becomes easy for you to provide a reason behind any happening in a logical way. You can also hire a writer from a reputed dissertation writing service to work on mixed approach.
What Are The Different Types Of Mixed Method?
Following are the types of mixed-method,
Sequential
- Explanatory Design
- Exploratory Design
- Transformative Design
Concurrent
- Triangulation Design
- Embedded Design
- Transformative Design
Let’s discuss each type of mixed approach in detail.
Sequential Explanatory Design
Sequential explanatory design is one of the most common type of mixed approach. In this type, the sequence of explaining everything matters a lot. There are different sequential designs. The first design is quantitative followed by qualitative. On the other hand, the second design is qualitative followed by quantitative. In the quantitative followed by qualitative stage, you have to come up with quantitative data and analyse the collected data. In the same way, you need to come up with qualitative data and analyse the collected data. Finally, the last one is all about transformative design. In sequential explanatory design, you have to describe both numeric and subjective results in detail. In this way, you get the issue first and then explain that subjectively.
If you have plenty of time, you should go for a sequential explanatory design. It helps you explain the issue and discuss it with every minor detail. You may have tried quantitative and qualitative approaches separately. But here you get a chance to research with advanced techniques. The only thing which you have to take great care of is the availability of resources. I suggest you to spend some time on pre-research. Ensure the resources and make it clear in your mind that you have the potential to do a sequential explanatory design.
Sequential Exploratory Design
As the name of this mixed approach type shows, it is used to explore the issues. Here you have to come up with subjective data. The collected data is analysed in the form of quantitative analysis. In this type of mixed approach, your aim is to develop something new in the market. In sequential explanatory design, your aim is to find the issue. On the other hand, the sequential exploratory design you use is to explore a new phenomenon by solving the issues. The collected subjective data helps you get different aspects and their relationship with each other. You can use the same technique for something that already exists. In this way, you can improve the performance of the existing problem/issue.
For example, you want to come up with a new model of a mobile phone. For this, you can use a sequential explanatory design. In the same manner, if you want to make something that does not exist, you can use a sequential explanatory design.
Sequential Transformative Design
The sequential transformative design has to complete your task in two phases. In simple words, you can say that it covers both sequential explanatory design as well as sequential exploratory design. Let’s understand this type of mixed approach in an easy way. First of all, you have to collect qualitative data and analyse the collected data. Based on the analysis, you need to interpret things. When you are done with the first phase of data collection and analysis, you have to again start the same procedure. This time, you have to collect quantitative data for the same research problem and analyse it as per the qualitative approach. Now you have to interpret things on the basis of qualitative results. That is how you need to complete both of the phases. It is important to keep both of the results in your mind and see how things work well.
Concurrent Triangulation Design
Concurrent triangulation design uses more than one method to conduct the research. The reason behind this is to ensure the accuracy of research. It is obvious that everything has some pros and cons. When you use more than one method, it becomes easy to cover the limitations of each approach. The limitation of the first approach can be covered by the second approach. In the same way, the limitation of the second approach can be covered by the first approach. That is how you come up with the most accurate results of any study.
Final Thoughts
When you are asked to use a mixed approach in academic writing, you have to evaluate different factors. First of all, you have to understand the problem very clearly. Also, you have to see which type of mixed approach is the most suitable for your work. You have to see that which particular type can address your problem effectively. This approach demands hard as well as smart work, and can ultimately lead you towards the best results.
