Chapter 7: Data Transformation

and Other Strategies for Mixing

During Analysis
Purpose: To explore how data transformation can be used to advance
the sophistication and effectiveness of mixed method analytical
procedures.
Goals of the Chapter
1. Acknowledge controversies 1. Explore strategies for
related to data transformation. qualitizing quantitative data,
2. Distinguish between quantifying including by developing case
and quantitizing of qualitative narratives or profiles.
data. 2. Provide an overview of an
3. Describe ways that quantifying
exemplar that illustrates the
qualitative data can be used to
use of a mixed method
document a relationship,
demonstrate change over time, approach with case study.
and identify clusters of
individuals.
An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 2
Defining Data Transformation
• The conversion of
qualitative data into
quantitative data
(quantifying or
quantitizing) or
quantitative data int0
qualitative data for
purposes of analysis
(Greene, 2007)
An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 3
Distinguishing Quantifying from Quantitizing
• Quantifying qualitative data is simply counting. Most often it is
counting the number of times a theme are category occurs.

An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 4

An Example of Quantifying QUAL Themes from
a Study of Pre-School Children with Disabilities

• Insert Table 7.5. from Odom

An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 5

Quantitizing
• Quantitizing is the process of assigning a numerical score to textual
for purposes of facilitating comparisons or showing a relationship or
pattern.

An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 6

Acknowledging Controversies Related to
Data Transformation
1. QUANT people object to statistical analysis
that is based on a small, non representative
sample.
2. Some QUAL researchers strongly object to
quantifying qualitative data as context
stripping and overly simplifying complex
phenomenon.
3. Mixed methods people challenge the idea that
quantifying by reporting frequency counts
themes or categories qualifies as mixing.

An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 7

Example 1: Quantifying for Purposes of Demonstrating
a Relationship Between Source of Stress and Symptoms
of Stress

Insert Table 7.3. Quantifying Stressors and Symptoms

An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 8

Example 2: Achieving Mixing by Demonstrating a
Relationship Between QUAL and QUANT Variables

• Insert Table 7.4 Contrasting Group Analysis of Qualitative Themes

An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 9

Example Three: Quantifying Themes to Show Change
in Topic Addressed on a Facebook Page

• Insert Figure 7.1. Quantifying Changes in Qualitative Themes Over

Time

An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 10

Example 4: Quantifying QUAL Themes to
Distinguish Groups (from Odom et al., 2006)

• Insert Table 7.5. Quantifying Themes that Distinguish Socially Rejected

Children

An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 11

Case Study Research
• “An empirical inquiry that
investigates a contemporary
phenomenon within the real life
context; when boundaries
between the phenomenon and
the context are not clearly
evident; and in which multiple
sources of data are used (Yin,
1984, p. 23)

An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 12

Compatibility of Mixed Methods with Case
Study Research
• Case study is described as an approach that spans paradigms; not a
method or methodology.
• They are generally constructed with multiple types of data (observation,
documents, archival data, interviews, and sometimes physical artifacts).
• Can readily combine qualitative and quantitative approaches to
sampling procedures (see Table 7.6).
• If a type of qualitizing when it involves building a profile that weaves
together a number of quantitative indicators with qualitative data.
• Can facilitate mixing, though the inclusion of numbers does not in itself
amount to mixing.
An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 13
Design Features of the Chapter Exemplar
Using Case Studies by Cooper, 2015
Design Feature

Rationale/Purpose Development

Priority Quantitative

Timing of Data Collection Sequential (Multi-phase)

Timing of Data Analysis Sequential (Multi-phase)

Mixing Fully Integrated- Mixing at all Stages

An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 14

Types of Mixing in the Chapter Exemplar
Using Case Studies by Cooper, 2014
Phase of the Research Process Type of Mixing

Design/Research Question One qualitative; one quantitative research question.

Sampling Survey data used to select schools for case studies

Data Collection Survey data used to select classrooms for case

studies.

Data Analysis Concept maps for each classroom created.

Drawing Conclusions/Inferences A meta-inference was produced from the cross-case

comparisons.

An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 15

Mixing at the Inference Stage: Meta
Inference in the Chapter Exemplar by
Cooper, 2014
META INFERENCE: Characteristics of the teaching approach are much more strongly related to student
engagement than characteristics of the student.

QUAL Conclusion: Connected QUANT Conclusion: Connected

instruction that was not learning had a much stronger
supplemented with academic connection to student engagement
challenging activities produced than other teaching practices.
lower levels of student
engagement.

An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Methods Research 16

Summary
• Many mixed method researchers report on results produced through
data transformation.
• Most data transformation involves QUANTIFYING; not QUANTITIZING.
• There are very few examples of QUALITIZATION.
• QUANTIFYING qualitative data is NOT mixing.

An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 17

Review Questions
• What is the difference between quantifying and quantitizing?
• What objections do some qualitative researchers raise about data
transformation?
• What restricts the ability to use transformed qualitative data for
purposes of statistical analysis?
• Why is case study an approach that is well suited to mixed methods?

An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 18

Next Chapter
• Is about strategies for evaluating
the quality of mixed methods
research and mixed methods
reporting.

An Introduction to Fully Integrated Mixed Method Research 19