Mixed Method Research

Mixed Method Research

Introduction

It is human nature to keep striving for the best and keep moving forward, no matter how many obstacles are placed in the way of thus development and progress. It is due to the same reason that mankind is making steady and fast progress in all walks of life: the intriguing and stimulating nature of human beings continuously forces them to know the unknown and keep making progress for the betterment of himself and the mankind as well. In order to raise curtain from all the secrets of nature and to take over all the elements present in the world, human beings have been striving and collecting information since the beginning of times. The same curiosity and oddity has led to the development of various research methods, and has mankind to the position where all the matters and all the subjects are being widely discussed and researched, in order to make world a better and easy place to live.

It is eminent to mention here that human beings have also made developments in the methods of research and studies, in order to get a better idea about the topics and subjects beings discussed and thus move towards a better researched society. The same developments and studies have led to the development of modern research methods, which are now playing their part in increasing the knowledge level of specialized and professional individuals.

Discussion

Various methods of research are available these days, which not only increase the precision and accuracy in research but also play an essential role in adding to the knowledge body, which is being used by the current generation and would be helpful for the upcoming generations as well. Among such research methods, the mixed research method holds a different and significant position, as it allows the individuals to make use of the various forms of research, choosing some of the components of each research method and thus coming up with the best possible method. This implies that the mixed research methods are ideal for the use of all types of researches and various types of researchers, and thus they have wide scope.

It should be noted that most of the researchers consider mixed methods research as a methodology and therefore concentrate on the philosophical assumptions of the method. However, the introduction of the term 'methodology' adds to the confusion and concerns of the researchers and disallows them to make full use of the research (Spratt, Walker and Robinson, 2004). Although the mixed method research has particular philosophical assumptions, it generally assumes the worldview; in fact several world-views and focus on the methods of collecting and analyzing the data. It would be more appropriate mixed research a 'research design', and the mixed method research can be defined as: 'the research design that has its own philosophical assumption as well as the method of inquiry. The methodology of mixed method research revolves around its philosophical assumptions, and also provides guidance in the direction of data collection and data ...