Fee structure
Students
1,025 NZD
Everyone else
2,050 NZD
Course outline
This course is designed for people interested in practical approaches to undertaking mixed methods research; that is, inquiry that combines qualitative and quantitative methodologies. It will provide grounding in both approaches, a defence of the utility of combined methodologies, and practical strategies to ensure that research questions are addressed.
While mention will be made of appropriate software for the different methods, please note that this course does not explore them.
Day one: Introduction to mixed methods research
- Defining parameters: qualitative and quantitative research
- Learning the language of each methodology
- Applications of mixed method research in practice (academic/policy research)
- Conceptualising design – fixed and flexible designs
Day two: Designing a research or evaluation study – Design Frameworks
- Characteristics of research design:
- Quantitative – experimental, quasi-experimental, non-experimental
- Qualitative – ethnography, grounded theory, and case study
- Linking research questions to purpose
- Asking meaningful research questions – ensuring methods address research questions
Day three: Sampling and data collection strategies and procedures
- Probability and non-probability sampling procedures
- Surveys, semantic differential and goal attainment scaling
- Interviewing, focus groups and observational techniques
- Types of data and choosing approaches
Day four: Analysing qualitative and quantitative data
- Choosing the right statistical procedure, e.g. Chi-square, t-test, ANOVA, ANCOVA, regression, correlation
- Analysing statistical data
- Qualitative data analysis procedures – manual methods: content, thematic, matrix displays, narrative
- Computer applications for qualitative and quantitative data
- Integrating qualitative and quantitative data
Day five: Validity and trustworthiness issues in mixed method designs
- Representing qualitative and quantitative data in research and evaluation for academic and policy audiences
- Threats to validity in research and evaluation design
- Validity and trustworthiness in mixed methods research
- Establishing valid claims
- Writing up: integrating and reporting mixed methods research
If you want any further advice on whether this course is right for you, please email nzssncourses@auckland.ac.nz and we will put you in touch with the instructor.
Instructor
Gordon Emmerson is a specialist in quantitative research. He has taught undergraduate and postgraduate statistics programmes in the Psychology Department of Victoria University (Melbourne), and coordinated a Major in Social Research Methods there.
Gordon has been employed as a statistical methods advisor to Kansas State University staff, and taught in the PhD programme there. He is an experienced group facilitator and regularly conducts workshops in a range of topic areas.
Gordon is an experienced user of data management and statistical software packages, including SPSS, Excel, and Jamovi. He has also undertaken many quantitative research consultancies within the health and education sectors.