Description

COMMENTARY

Using mixed methods in research studies: An opportunity with its challenges

KEYVAN SALEHI

PhD Candidate, Department of Educational Measurement and Evaluation, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

NAHID GOLAFSHANI

Professor of Math and Technology Education, School of Education (English), Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada

ABSTRACT

Changes in first and second movements in research methodology led to emergence and development of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Second movement in research methodology emerged with an objective of rectifying certain shortfalls in the first movement; however, the second movement, itself, was not exempt from some shortfalls. These have led to the emergence of the third methodological movement which resulted in the birth of mixed methods research. Researchers are finding this movement to be a new opportunity to study complex phenomenon. They are also finding that the new opportunity comes with its own challenges. Some of the currently discussed challenges among educational researchers are philosophical and epistemological aspects of mixed methods research.

Keywords: mixed method research, triangulation, qualitative, quantitative, methodology