Description

Philosophy in mixed methods teaching: The transformative paradigm as illustration

DONNA M MERTENS

Department of Educational Foundations and Research, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC, USA

ABSTRACT

As teachers of mixed methods, we have a responsibility to nurture our students’ abilities to think through their choices in terms of mixed methods research based on a critically examined understanding of their philosophical assumptions. The belief systems associated with the transformative paradigm are used to illustrate the importance of teaching philosophical frameworks as a part of mixed methods instruction. Teachers and students of research will improve their practice by engaging in critical self-reflection and dialogue about the philosophical assumptions that underlie their positions as researchers. This is an important area of exploration for mixed methods researchers who seek to improve the validity of their findings.

Keywords: transformative paradigm, teaching research, philosophy of science, mixed methods, social justice, validity