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DISCUSSION
A. Definition of Mixed Methods Research
Mixed methods research is a research design with philosophical assumptions as
well as methods of inquiry. As a methodology, it involves philosophical
assumptions that guide the direction of the collection and analysis of data and the
mixture of qualitative and quantitative approaches in many phases in the research
process. As a method, it focuses on collecting, analyzing, and mixing both
quantitative and qualitative data in a single study or series of studies. Its central
premise is that the use of quantitative and qualitative approaches in combination
provides a better understanding of research problems than either approach alone
(01-Creswell . Studies that are products of the pragmatist paradigm and that
combine the qualitative and quantitative approaches within different phases of the
research process. (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2008) Mix methods research designs
combine quantitative and qualitative approaches by essentially mixing both
quantitative and qualitative data in singly study. The purpose of these designs is to
build upon the synergy and strength that exists between quantitative and
qualitative methods in order to more fully understand a given phenomenon than is
possible using either quantitative or qualitative methods alone.
These potential limitations, mixed method can be used to build on the finding
of a qualitative study by pursuing a quantitative phase of the research, or vice
versa. Alternatively, you may find yourself working in a graduate program that is

less receptive to qualitative research than quantitative research, but you may
genuinely interested in incorporating a qualitative component into the study. A
mix method approach will enable you to achieve this goal. The same issues in the
general debate over qualitative versus quantitative paradigms arise in discussion
of mixed methods evaluation. For example, qualitative researchers who are
philosophically opposed to quantitative methods argue that these methods have
taught us very little about how and why programs work. However, both sides can
benefit from collaboration. Quantitative studies are good at established what, but
qualitative studies help us to understand how a program succeeds or fails.
B. Three types of mixed methods designs
Three characteristics that differentiate types of mixed methods designs
1) The priority given to either the quantitative or qualitative data collection. The
researcher has three choices about the priority given to qualitative and
quantitative data; qualitative and quantitative data are of equal weight,
quantitative data are of greater weight than qualitative data, or qualitative data
are greater weight than quantitative data.
2) The sequence of collecting quantitative or qualitative data. The researcher
cant collect quantitative and qualitative simultataneously. Quantitative data
are collected first, followed by qualitative data; qualitative data are collected
first, followed by quantitative data; or in a QUAN-QUAL approach both types
3) of data are collected during the same period.
4) The data analysis techniques used to either combine the analysis of data or
keep the two types of data separate. As we have discussed throughout this text,
one of the most difficult aspects of any research endeavor is the analysis of

data. This problem is showcased when we attempt to analyze quantitative and

qualitative data sources concurrently or in sequence and attempt to find points
of intersection as well as discrepancies.
There are Three common types of mix method research designs; the
QUAL-quan model, the QUAN-qual model, and the QUAN-QUAL model, in the
name of the models, our use of uppercase and lowercase letters follows the
converitions presented by Creswell. The method are described in the following
sections.
1) QUAL-Quan Model
The exploratory mixed methods design. Qualitative data are collected first
and are more heavily weighted than quantitative data. A qualitative study (or
phase in s study) comes first and is typically an explanatory study in
which observation and open ended interviews with individuals or group are
conducted and concepts and potential hypotheses are identified. In a second
study or phase, variables are identified from concepts derived from the
qualitative analyzes and hypotheses are tested with quantitative techniques.
The QUAN-qual approach is useful for researchers who obtain results from
multi item scales to measure phenomena. The validity of the qualitative
results can be enhanced by quantitative results obtained from the second
study or phase.
2) QUAN-Qual Model
The explanatory mixed methods design, Quantitative data are collected first
and are more heavily weighted than qualitative data. In the first study or
phase, the researcher formulates a hypothesis, collects quantitative data, and
conducts data analysis. The findings of the quantitative study determine the
type of the data collected in a second, qualitative study or phase. This study

or phase is comprised of qualitative data collection, analysis, and

interpretation to help explain or elaborated on the quantitative results.
3) The QUAN-QUAL model. As the triangulation mixed method design,
quantitative and qualitative data are equally weighted and are collected
concurrently throughout the same study-the data are not collected in separate
studies or distinct phase, as in the other two methods. One method maybe
dominant over the other ( QUAN-qual or QUAL-quan), or the two methods
may be qiven equal weight throughout. When quantitative methods are
domain (QUAN-qual) , for example, researcher might enliven their
quantitative findings by collecting and writing case vignettes. When
qualitative methods are domain(QUAL-quan) qualitative researchers might
decide to include survey, census, and likert-scale data with narrative data.
The fully integrated QUAN-QUAL approaches is the most challenging type
of mixed method research.
Ten Characteristics of Mixed Methods Designs
1) The title of the research includes terms that suggest more than one method is
being uses Mixed methods, Integrated, Triangular, Quantitative qualitative.
2) Both quantitative and qualitative methods are used in the study
3) The researcher describes the kinds of mixed methods being used
4) The data collection section indicates narrative, numerical, or both types of
data are being collected
5) The purpose statement or the research questions indicate the types of methods
being used

6) Questions are stated and described for both quantitative and qualitative
approaches
7) The researcher indicates the preference given to qualitative or quantitative
data collection techniques.
8) The researcher indicates the sequencing of collecting qualitative and/or
quantitative data (i.e., QUAN-Qual, QUAL-Quan, or QUAN-QUAL)
9) The researcher describes both quantitative and qualitative data analysis
strategies
10) The writing is balanced in terms of quantitative and qualitative approaches

C. Data Collection Techniques

Collecting both quantitative and qualitative data
Quantitative data

Qualitative data

Instruments

Interviews

Checklists

Observations

Records

Documents
Audio-visual materials

Quantitative data
Close-ended scales
Attitudinal/behavioral scales
Behavioral checklists

Census, attendance records

Qualitative data
Open-ended responses
Semi-structured interviews
Semi-structured observations
Records/documents
Videotapes
Images such as pictures or drawings
D.

Evaluating mixed methods designs

Eight questions
1) Does the study use at least one quantitative and one qualitative research
strategy?
2) Does the study include a rationale for using a mixed methods design?
3) Does the study include a classification of the type of mixed methods design?
4) Does the study describe the priority given to quantitative and qualitative data
collection and the sequence of their use?
5) Was the study feasible given the amount of data to be collected and
concomitant issues of resources, time, and expertise?

6) Does the study include both quantitative and qualitative research questions?
7) Does the study clearly identify qualitative and quantitative data collection
techniques?
8) Does the study use appropriate data analysis techniques for the type of
mixed methods design?
( Cresweel p;524)

CONCLUSION
Mixed methods research A style of research that uses procedures for conducting
research that are typically applied in both quantitative and qualitative studies. The
purpose of these designs is to build upon the synergy and strength that exists
between quantitative and qualitative methods in order to more fully understand a

given phenomenon than is possible using either quantitative or qualitative

methods alone.
Three characteristics that differentiate types of mixed methods designs;
The priority given to either the quantitative or qualitative data collection, The
sequence of collecting quantitative or qualitative data, The data analysis
techniques used to either combine the analysis of data or keep the two types of
data separate. Three common designs, QUAL-Quan Model; The exploratory
mixed methods design. QUAN-Qual Model; The explanatory mixed methods
design., QUAN-QUAL Model The triangulation mixed methods design.
Evaluating a mixed methods study, a mixed methods study can be
evaluated by answering questions related to the use of at least one qualitative and
one quantitative research method, the rationale for using a mixed methods
research design, the priority and sequence given to qualitative and quantitative
data collection, the use of qualitative and quantitative research question and
matching data collection techniques, and the use of appropriate data analysis
techniques for mixed methods designs.

BIBLIOGRAPHI
Educational research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and
Qualitative Research, by, J. W. Creswell. 2005. Upper saddle River. NJ;
Merril/Prentice Mall
Indawan Syahri, Mixed Methods dalam Penelitian Bahasa

Gay, Mills, Airasian. 2006. Educational Research; Competencies for Analysis and
Applications: Eight Edition. Columbus Ohio. Person Merril Prentice Hall.
Moehnilabib, Mukadis, A, Ibnu, suhadi, Soeparno, Fofiudin, dan Sukaryana, I
Wayan. 2003. Dasar-dasar Metodologi Penelitian.
Methods of educational and socialscience research ; An integrated approach, by.
D. R. Krathwohl . 1998. Reading, MA; ADDISON-WESLY
Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (2008). Introduction to mixed method and mixed
model studies in the social and behavioral science. In V.L. Plano-Clark &
J. W. Creswell (Eds.), The mixed methods reader,
Questions adapted from educational research ( Cresweel p;524)