Jolo Manuel J.

Balanquit Inquiries, Investigation & Immersion

12- STEM A CE February 21, 2019

Mixed method research employs both approaches relatively or simultaneously to create a

research outcome stronger than either method individually. Overall, combined quantitative and
qualitative methods enable exploring more complex aspects and relations of the human
and social world. Some of these aspects and relationships may be analyzed quantitatively and
qualitatively. Ambiguity is not a matter of qualitative method versus quantitative method, but
whether the underlying and revealed concepts are valid representations of the
phenomenon. In both quantitative and qualitative methods, concepts can be imprecise and open
to interpretation. Qualitative research typically answers research questions that address “how”
and “why” whereas quantitative research typically addresses “how often” and “how many”. A
mix of quantitative and qualitative methods can be fruitful for obtaining profoundly new
empirical insights. As quantitative methods need valid conceptual grounding, qualitative methods
are probably always a necessity to understand social phenomena.

Though, it is more time-consuming to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The
study may require more resources to collect both types of data. Both quantitative and qualitative
research have weaknesses, quantitative research is weak in understanding the context or setting
in which data is collected and qualitative research may include biases and does not lend itself to
statistical analysis and generalization. Mixed method strategies can offset these weaknesses by
allowing for both exploration and analysis in the same study. Researchers are able to use all the
tools available to them and collect more comprehensive data. This provides results that have a
broader perspective of the overall issue or research problem. The final results may include both
observations and statistical analyses. Therefore, the results are validated within the study. Using
both approaches in one study provides additional evidence and support for the findings. Mixed
method combines inductive and deductive thinking and reasoning. The researcher can use both
words and numbers to communicate the results and findings. Instead of focusing on one type of
methodology, mixed methods enables us to emphasize the research problem and use all
approaches available in order to come to a clear and better understanding.