Mixing Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

Abstract

This article describes and discusses issues related to research design and data analysis in the mixing of qualitative and quantitative methods. It is increasingly desirable to use multiple methods in research, but questions arise as to how best to design and analyze the data generated by mixed methods projects. I offer a conceptualization for such design, discuss issues of sampling, and describe a strategy for processing qualitative data in ways that allow for more sophisticated and dynamic integration with quantita- tive data. Finally, drawing on data from previous research, I describe tools and strategies for this dynamic data integration and illustrate how effective strategy and use of tools allow for more efficient and sophisticated analysis, interpretation, and presentation.