Mixing Methods for Full-Strength Results

Abstract

This article discusses the practical application of mixed quantitative and qualitative designs. Mixed methods designs can be especially powerful in illuminating policy solutions and directions for social action, thus supporting the social justice goals of social work and other helping professions. However, the decision to combine methods must be appropriate for the study, elevating the integrity and strength of the results. This article uses two studies of U.S. welfare policy to describe the decisions researchers made during the design, implementation, and combined statistical and interpretive analyses of the two research projects.

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“…So, mixed methods studies are often suggested as a way to disentangle intricate relationships and more fully understand complex social phenomena (Sosulski and Lawrence 2008). As a consequence, it was decided to use a combination of methods to tap the strengths of each of data source, and thereby help to improve the validity and reliability of the findings.…”

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