Design Thinking: Mixed Method Research

Mixed methods research is a design for collecting, analyzing and mixing both quantitative and qualitative data in a single study or series of studies to understand a research problem. Mixed method research is becoming increasingly popular. When used together, these methods can be complimentary.

Mixed methods research is a systematic integration of quantitative and qualitative methods in a single study for purposes of obtaining a fuller picture and deeper understanding of a phenomenon. Huey ChenUsing both Qualitative and quantitative research provide a better understanding of users than either method can provide alone. Combining qualitative and quantitative methods has gained broad appeal in public health research, for example.

The key question has become not whether it is acceptable or legitimate to combine methods, but rather how they will be combined to be mutually supportive and how findings achieved through different methods will be integrated.Some research methods such as interviews and observations can be either quantitative or qualitative. Quantitative data can be generalized to the larger population.

In qualitative research subjects are selected because they have experienced the central phenomenon.Mixed methods research is a set of procedures that should be used when integrating qualitative and quantitative procedures reflects the research question(s) better than each can independently. The combining of quantitative and qualitative methods should better inform the researcher and the effectiveness of mixed methods should be evaluated based upon how the approach enables the investigator to answer the research question(s) embedded in the purpose(s) (Why the study is being conducted or is needed the justification) of the study.

Newman, Ridenour Newman & DeMarco, 2003QUALITATIVE RESEARCH:Working with unfamiliar subjectsWhen data is complex ambiguous or unclearWhen you wish to understand meaningWhen you require flexibilityFor studying issues in detailQUALITATIVE ANALYSISText/Image dataCodingThemesDescriptionInterrelated themesQUANTITATIVE RESEARCHWhen the data is clearly denedWhen metrics are known When detailed numerical data is requiredWhen repeatability is importantWhen generalizable across populations is neededQUANTITATIVE ANALYSISNumeric dataDescriptive trend analysisHypothesis testing, effect size.Why Use Mixed Methods ?Together quantitative and qualitative data provide both precise measurement and generalizability of quantitative research and the in-depth, complex picture of qualitative research.

To validate quantitative results with qualitative data. Finally, when outcomes to be measured are simply not enough; and need augmented interpretation and usefulness of findings.Collins, Onwuegbuzie, and Sutton (2006) identified four reasons for conducting mixed research.

Participant enrichment (e.g., mixing quantitative and qualitative research to optimize the sample using techniques that include recruiting participants)Instrument Fidelity (e.

g. , assessing the appropriateness and/ or utility of existing instruments, creating new instruments, monitoring performance of human instruments)Treatment integrity (e.g.

, assessing fidelity of intervention)Significance enhancement (e.g., facilitating thickness and richness of data)When to Use Mixed Methods ?

When you want to combine the advantages of quantitive (trends, large numbers, generalization) with qualitative (detail, small numbers, in-depth). Mixed Methods should be used when you want to validate your findings or if you want to expand your quantitative finds. Its important to remember that both approaches have strengths and weaknesses RELATED QUESTION What are the latest applications of fiber optic sensors?

According to a new market research report published by Credence Research Fiber Optic Sensors Market(Product Type Intrinsic Fiber Optic Sensors, Extrinsic Fiber Optic Sensors; Material Plastic, Glass; End-user Industrial, Oil & Gas, Energy & Utilities, Healthcare, Automotive & Transportation and Defense) Growth, Future Prospects and Competitive Analysis, 2018 - 2026, the global fiber optic sensors market is set to exhibit CAGR of 10.1% during the forecast period from 2018 to 2026.Browse the full report InsightsFiber optic sensing has emerged as a prevalent technology across numerous industries including healthcare, automotive, aerospace, civil, manufacturing, and energy.

These sensors are capable of measuring a wide variety of parameters including strain, temperature, internal and applied loads, deflection, liquid level and more. Today, fiber optic sensors can be used to measure more than 60 parameters, availing a wide range of application areas. Fiber optic sensors are low cost, lightweight, robust, immune to electromagnetic interference and capable of functioning in harsh environments.

Unlike conventional electrical sensors, fiber optic sensors can be positioned close to large EMI sources as well as structures that are prone to lightning strikes.The overall fiber optic sensors market is segmented based on product type, material, end-user, and geography. Based on the product type, the fiber optic sensors market is led by intrinsic sensors accounting for more 2/3rd of the total market value.

Further, based on end-user, industrial manufacturing & processing segment leads the fiber optic sensors market. In the following years, the oil & gas segment is expected to register the highest growth rate in the market. Fiber optic sensors have offered a viable solution for well and reservoir surveillance in the oil and gas industry.

These sensors are being widely deployed in the oil and gas sector for measuring temperature, chemical composition, pressure, acoustics, and strain. With rising subsea processing and increasing requirement of system monitoring, there has been a growing demand for optical fibers with longer transmission distances and higher bandwidth.On the basis of geography, North America dominated the overall fiber optic sensors market with a share of nearly 34% in the year 2017.

The regional market growth is primarily governed by the presence of sophisticated industrial manufacturing & processing sector. The Asia Pacific is expected to demonstrate the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The market growth in the Asia Pacific is estimated to be supported by the rapidly growing industrial sector in China and India.

Some of the major companies profiled in the report include ABB Ltd., Halliburton CO, Fiso Technologies, Inc., OMRON Corporation, OmniSens S.

A., Opsens Oil and Gas, Deltex Medical Group PLC, Finisar Corporation, Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd., Luna Innovations Inc.

, Ziebel AS, OptaSense (QinetiQ Company), AP Sensing GmbH, PepperlFuchs GmbH, Petrospec Engineering Inc. , Schlumberger Ltd. , AFL Group, SCHOTT AG, TE Connectivity and others.

Browse the full report