Abstract
The third edition of Creswell and Clark’s Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research is an essential update to the mixed methodology discourse that covers two broad aspects—first, the fundamentals of mixed methods research (i.e., data collection, data analysis), and second, the evolving discussion of research ideology and its refining impact on mixed methods research.
By covering the fundamentals of mixed methods research, the book is organized in a structured manner, going into thorough detail of how one can carry out a holistic mixed methods research from beginning to end. For beginners to mixed methods research, the book reads like an IKEA instruction manual, providing systematic clarity to the complexity of mixed methods studies.
The second message of the book discusses research ideology and its influence on mixed methods research. As described by Creswell and Clark, mixed methodology is in a critical period of reflection and refinement. Compared to established fields of quantitative and qualitative research, mixed methodology is considered a contemporary field. In this edition, Creswell and Clark appeal to seasoned researchers to contemplate the philosophical foundations that drive the principles of a robust mixed methods research.
Structure of the Book
The book can be categorized into four main parts: (1) introduction into mixed methods and preliminary research assessment in Chapters 1 and 2, (2) philosophical assumptions and theoretical frameworks of mixed methodology in Chapters 3 and 4, (3) developing and implementing a mixed methods study in Chapters 5 and 6, and (4) analyzing and evaluating mixed methods studies in Chapters 7 and 8.
Introduction Into Mixed Methods and Preliminary Research Assessment
Chapter 1 introduces the readers to the evolving definition of mixed methods. Creswell and Clark suggest mixed methods research as collecting, analyzing, and integrating both forms of qualitative and quantitative data and logically organizing the mixed procedures within an appropriate theoretical framework. Prior to beginning a mixed methods study, Creswell and Clark recommend conducting a needs assessment to fully determine the appropriate mixed methods study and procedures. This leads into Chapter 2, which outlines the historical emergence of mixed methods research, generated from the need to overcome the differences between qualitative and quantitative research. The authors have meticulously charted the periodic evolution of mixed methods research through key publications that contributed to the philosophy of the research field, resulting the worldviews commonly used in mixed methods.
Philosophical Assumptions and Theoretical Frameworks of Mixed Methodology
Critical to the evolution of research ideology is the debut of Chapter 3’s core mixed methods designs, characterized as convergent design, explanatory sequential design, and exploratory sequential design. Each core design is distinct with its own intent, philosophical assumptions, procedures, benefits, and challenges and is meant to help a researcher organize the study approach to the research problem. Mixed methodology is characteristically used in applied research, thus inheriting the complexity of real-world challenges. Chapter 4 attempts to break down the complexity of real-world experiments by building one of the three core designs into an overarching framework. The chapter covers four prominent types of framework used in conjunction with the three core designs—experimental case study, participatory social justice, and program evaluation. Each framework addresses the challenges of mixed methods research with different philosophical leanings.
Developing and Implementing a Mixed Methods Study
Chapter 5 begins with how to structure a mixed methods introduction, starting with a clear title to establish the study’s intention. The authors have provided of a series of statement scripts for practitioners and beginners, which illustrate strong purpose statements in research papers, grants, and so on. Chapter 6 present common data collection techniques in mixed methods and the basic types of qualitative and quantitative instruments used by researchers. The suggested data collection techniques correspond with the three core designs of mixed methods study to help researchers shape an appropriate and theoretically logical study design.
Analyzing and Evaluating Mixed Methods Studies
A standout section is the “Evolution of Integrative Thinking” in Chapter 7, which emphasizes data analysis strategies for mixed methods research. Creswell and Clark expound the current discourse of data integration where different types of data are integrated as a coherent whole. This is a move away from the old analysis strategy where quantitative and qualitative data are analyzed separately. The chapter also touches on validity threats to mixed methods design and strategies to minimize such threats. This concludes with Chapter 8 that focuses on writing for different types of research proposal and evaluating mixed methods research by providing some criteria for evaluation.
What’s New in the Book
As highlighted by the authors, in comparison to the first and second edition, the third edition focuses on developing a structured research study intent. This is exemplified in the following: The classification of mixed methods studies into three core designs: convergent design, explanatory sequential design, and exploratory sequential design. The introduction of four overarching theoretical frameworks and examples that show application in real-world scenarios. The notion of integration in data collection and analysis with examples illustrating how data integration is the cornerstone of mixed methods research. A dedicated Chapter 9 to the advances made in mixed methods research, citing 10 different types of advances from data mining to publications.
Special Features
The book is filled with key features that are extremely helpful to both beginners and experienced researchers. Comprehensive tables of key literature reviews—with informative references pointing a researcher in the right direction of investigation. Mini exercises and activities for beginners at the end of each chapter to help the readers understand the concepts explained and to be used as dry run prior to application in their own research. Graphical flowcharts that breakdown each step of the mixed methods study that can be used as a checklist. Examples of integrated data analysis for mixed methods research. Step-by-step examples on how to structure a proposal for dissertations, grants, and journal articles. Rich appendices with a large variety of complete mixed methods case studies to demonstrate theory to application.
Who the Book Is Written for
The book’s contents will resonate with multidisciplinary practitioners, at different stages of research, in the fields of architecture, environment, behavior, and health. Architectural and environmental projects tend to be complex as they deal with the interactions between users and space, and both elements are best observed in opposing investigative approaches. User behavior and well-being from a humanistic, qualitative perspective (such as interviews and focus groups) and the environment and health status from a scientific, quantitative measurement (such as geographical information systems and biomedical tests). By demystifying mixed methods research, Creswell and Clark encourage architects and design practitioners to engage in rigorous research investigation and produce more holistic, evidence-based results and designs.