PREST in Open and Distance Learning: Mixed Research Methods (A5 Module)

Abstract

You will be familiar with the ideas of quantitative and qualitative studies (see Modules A3 and A4). Indeed, you may have a strong preference for one of these approaches. In this unit we are going to look at mixed-method studies, i.e. ones that use both quantitative and qualitative methods.We shall start by defining what we mean by mixed methods and look at the various research designs that use a mixed method approach. You will find quite a few words that may be new to you in this unit, such as epistemology, paradigm and positivism.We’ll be using these terms fairly regularly throughout this module, so you will soon get used to them.