A Convergent Parallel Mixed-Methods Study of Controversial Issues in Social Studies Classes: A Clash of Ideologies

Abstract

In today' s educational landscape, social studies classes are characterized by controversial issues (CIs) that teachers handle differently using various ideologies. These CIs have become more and more popular, particularly in heterogeneous communities. The actual classroom practices for teaching social studies courses are unclear in the context of Turkey. This study aims to investigate the extent to which social studies teachers' ideologies are influential while teaching CIs and to examine the role of teachers' personal characteristics in determining how their ideologies interfere with the way they present CIs in the classroom. Using a convergent mixed-methods parallel research design, the researchers delve into the way teachers handle CIs by collecting data through a survey, qualitative interviews, and observations. The data analysis indicates CIs to be abundant and teachers' ideologies to highly influence the way they present these issues in social studies classrooms. The results also indicate that psycho-social reasons may be behind the act of bringing ideologies into class without paying attention to well-established scientific norms such as research, questioning, neutrality, and establishing a democratic environment for discussion when teaching social studies.

Higher education institutions, private sector and government collaboration for innovation within the framework of the Triple Helix Model

“…The sequential mixed-method approach was utilized because of its credibility, which allowed for the examination of the same phenomenon from a different perspective, thus increasing the validity of the findings. The mixed-method data collection was adopted because it includes the benefits of both quantitative and qualitative methods (Creswell 2014, 3;Demir and Pismek 2018), and also provided an opportunity for data triangulation, by the application of both questionnaires and interviews to measure the same phenomenon, thus increasing the confidence in conclusions reached. The research design focused on seeking to comprehend the nature of the relationship among Triple Helix actors.…”

One size doesn’t fit all: regional differences in priorities for food system transformation

“…In this design, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis are collected in parallel. Results are then merged and synergised (Creswell, 2016;Demir & Pismek, 2018). Data were collected through an online survey and interviews carried out among a wide range of agri-food professionals from five IFAD global regions: Asia and the Pacific; East and Southern Africa; West and Central Africa; Near East; North Africa; Europe and Central Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean.…”

Gathering the Data

“…Although the Campbell and Fiske conceptualization included only quantitative data, mixed methods researchers extended the idea to include the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. The rationale for using this design include the fact that we have both quantitative and qualitative data, we seek to build on the strengths of both methods offering the powerful mix Miles et al (1994) Demir and Pismek (2018) either approach is not enough to address the problems of migrations among Africans and we feel there was a need to promote an alternative perspective in our study. The design gives equal priority to both approaches, collects both data simultaneously or concurrently and compares both results to determine if the two databases yield similar or different results.…”