Research Designs
Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods
Quantitative Designs
• Focuses on the quantification of data and numeric data as the basis
for understanding
• Often uses statistical techniques (inferential, descriptive) to derive
meaning; also uses various statistical techniques to test for reliability
and validity
• Focuses on creating objective knowledge and controlling for biases
• Uses hypotheses to test a theory or research questions
• Example: At the end of our intervention, participants speaking score
significantly increased a mean of 15 points (p<0.02), indicating that our
intervention was a success.
Qualitative Designs
• Qualitative data focuses on words which often include stories,
personal examples and lived experiences
• Focuses on the rich, nuanced interpretation of those words through
various analysis strategies (frequently some kind of coding);
acknowledgement of subjectivity and subjective ways of knowing
• Often uses Research questions rather than hypotheses
• Example:
• Participants demonstrated a new understanding of language learning after
the intervention. Jun says, “English language class it helped me with my
speaking skills, especially with complex consonant sounds.”
Mixed Methods Designs
• Collects and integrates both qualitative and quantitative forms of data to
provide a more complete understanding
• May collect forms in conjunction or one after another; often includes
multiple datasets
• May have research questions or hypotheses; the nature of these is based on
the problems under investigation
• Example: Results indicate that participants spoke more accurately and felt
more confident in their speaking. Participants speaking scores significantly
increased from 10 to 15 at the end of our intervention (p<0.02); additionally,
16 out of 18 participants discussed their confidence: (specific quote from a
student).
Example 1
• Sara is an English language instructor working as a private corporate
consultant in the USA. Her job is to help Civil Engineers whose first
language is not English with their written English skills. She is
interested in measuring the effectiveness of her lessons to see if they
are having an impact on the overall quality of writing of her students.
Example 2
• Maryam is a private English language tutor who works full time to
prepare people for the TOEFL exam. She has noticed that certain
learners are able to grow tremendously with her lessons, while others
seem to hit a plateau and do not advance quickly. She wonders why
this is the case, and hopes to design a study to learn more.
Activity# 1
• In groups:
• qualitatively describe the sugarcoated chocolate pills.
• quantitatively describe the sugarcoated chocolate pills.
Qualitative Quantitative
Activity #2, Part I: Research Approach
• In pairs, explore the two scenarios.
• What kind of data would be most
appropriate? Qualitative, quantitative, or
mixed?
• What research questions might the
teachers be asking to help guide their
study?
Research Method Components
• Research design (qualitative/quantitative/ or mixed method)
• Context of the study
• Participants
• Data collection Procedure
• Research instrument (Questionnaire, Interview,
observation, focus group discussion, experiment, etc.)
• Validity and Reliability
• Confidentiality and Anonymity
• Data Analysis Procedure
