Introduction
The use of a mixed-method to investigate a particular issue is a research technique that aims at simultaneously identifying digital indicators and receiving oral information from participants. As a model for analyzing the suitability and effectiveness of such a method, the article “Parents’ Views of Schools’ Involvement Efforts” by Rodriguez, Blatz, and Elbaum (2014) will be used. In this work, the methodology implies the use of a mixed-method. Therefore, the analysis of its appropriateness and correctness of implementation can give competent conclusions regarding the possibility of using such a research model for the selected topic.
Appropriateness of the Research Questions to the Mixed Methods Study
According to the authors of the article, they sought answers to some of the questions, in particular, how parents could interact with teachers to ensure that children with disabilities received sufficient attention (Rodriguez et al., 2014). For these purposes, survey participants were interviewed, which corresponded to a qualitative method. Quantitative analysis provides a statistical report that is usually presented in the form of figures in percentages (“Mixed methods research,” 2016). Consequently, both principles of the mixed method were implemented, and they were both suitable and necessary for conducting a full study.
Authors’ Reasons for Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Research
It can be assumed that the authors’ reasons for integrating the two research methods into one were due to the complementarity of both techniques. A quantitative analysis made it possible to isolate statistical data (the number of children with a certain syndrome, the frequency of occurrence of codes, etc.), and a qualitative one made it possible to interpret the information obtained and make an overall picture on the basis of the research problem. As Creswell and Clark (2007) remark, the features of both types are significantly narrowed when it is necessary to combine them into one mixed method. Nevertheless, the authors managed to integrate quantitative and qualitative analysis within one research, which can be seen in the conclusions and results.
The Foundation of the Study from a Philosophical Perspective
A philosophical perspective that is the foundation of the study can be related to the concept of interpretivism when subjective values play a key role in social actions. The results can help to establish a trusting relationship in the student-teacher category and achieve parents’ moral when satisfaction facing a difficult life situation. According to Rodriguez et al. (2014), helping children with disabilities in school is not an easy task. The goal of the authors is to find an approach that allows reaching the maximum mutual understanding among all the participants in the educational process and helping both pupils and their parents to find peace and confidence that they are protected.
The Implementation of Mixed Methods Design Characteristics
In the process of research, the authors resorted to the help of the typical design characteristics of the mixed method. For instance, the timing of the study was sequential but not simultaneous. It means that the quantitative and qualitative analyses were not carried out in parallel but sequentially, and at first, the survey of participants was conducted, and then a statistical report was compiled. In terms of design priority, the qualitative method was more meaningful since the information received from stakeholders was of greater practical value than the data in the form of figures. Both types of research supplemented each other, and the quantitative method logically followed from the qualitative one, confirming the authors’ findings. In general, the work was done efficiently, and the rationale for the used type of methodology is logical. The authors touched upon all the necessary topics and fully answered the research questions asked.
The Study’s Mixed Methods Design
A design type that was used in the described article is sequential exploratory. This technique has certain strengths, in particular, all the stages of work go consistently and without interruption, and all the found data can be easily described and explained (“Mixed methods research,” 2016). Perhaps, that is why the authors resorted to such a design, trying to consider the given problem stage-by-stage and answer the posed questions. This design was probably the most successful because, with its help, it was possible to realize the idea of interpreting survey data into a statistical report and to provide visual proof of the practical significance of the work done (“Mixed methods research,” 2016).
When talking about the drawbacks of this type of design, it is possible to note its stretching in time because of the fact that all the actions were performed one after another but not in parallel. However, the goal of the authors was not to meet the deadline but to provide the most accurate data. Therefore, this method of work was the best fit for the research questions.
Mixed Methods Sampling Strategies
Since the authors used in their work a sequential mixed methods sampling, aimed at the gradual implementation of the stated tasks, their work appeared to be a little lengthy. Nevertheless, as Teddlie and Yu (2007) claim, this technique is the best fit for those situations where people are the primary object of research. Teddlie and Yu (2007) also cite the classification of this strategy, and as applied to the analyzed article, a theoretical sampling may be approached since the authors consider the phenomenon of interest to them and study its possible manifestations. The use of this strategy was appropriate because the central goal of scholars was to find a solution to the problem that directly related to people. The applicable sampling method was sufficient, and judging by the results of the work, the practical importance of the paper is significant.
The Strengths and Weaknesses of the Study’s Methodology
The basic strength of the used methodology is that the study fully answers the posed questions, and the results are logically displayed. Also, there is a theoretical justification for the intervention, which is an essential aspect of the process of working with people as the main object of research.
One of the weaknesses of the methodology is that it is time-consuming since the survey and statistical analysis should be done consistently but not simultaneously. Nevertheless, it does not harm the overall task, and the results of the study can be used as a basis for additional interventions. Some design types of mixed methods can generate unequal evidence, and it is essential to control this point. Finally, guidance on transformative methods is little, and more information can be needed to complete the study. However, all these shortcomings can be easily resolved, and they do not crucially affect the results.
Conclusion
Thus, the analysis of the appropriateness of the methodology used by the authors allows concluding that the design of the study is theoretically grounded and helps to answer the posed questions. The integration of the two types of research has practical significance and enables us to efficiently calculate all the necessary data in order to provide the most accurate and relevant information. The strengths of the methodology prevail over its weaknesses, help to competently solve the tasks, and contribute to further work in the described field.
References
Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. L. P. (2007). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Mixed methods research. (2016). Web.
Rodriguez, R. J., Blatz, E. T., & Elbaum, B. (2014). Parents’ views of schools’ involvement efforts. Exceptional Children, 81(1), 79-95.
Teddlie, C., & Yu, F. (2007). Mixed methods sampling: A typology with examples. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(1), 77-100.