Mixed Methods Research Design
Mixed Methods Research Design
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Halaman : 688-700
Abstrak
Penelitian mixed methods menggabungkan pendekatan kuantitatif dan kualitatif untuk memberikan
pemahaman yang lebih komprehensif terhadap fenomena yang diteliti. Metode ini memungkinkan
peneliti untuk mengumpulkan dan menganalisis data dari berbagai sumber, sehingga menghasilkan
temuan yang lebih valid dan obyektif. Artikel jurnal ini bertujuan untuk memberikan pemahaman
yang komprehensif tentang desain penelitian mixed method, dan tidak hanya itu, tetapi juga mengajak
pembaca untuk menjelajahi berbagai desain yang ada, seperti convergent parallel design, convergent
parallel design, exploratory sequential design, embedded design, transformative design dan multiphase
design. Melalui tinjauan literatur yang mendalam, artikel ini mengungkapkan metode yang digunakan
dalam penelitian mixed method, menunjukkan bahwa setiap desain memiliki kelebihan dan tantangan
tersendiri. Temuan utama dari artikel ini menunjukkan bahwa ada berbagai jenis desain penelitian
mixed methods dan contoh penerapannya. Implikasi dari temuan ini sangat signifikan, karena
penggunaan penelitian mixed methodsdapat meningkatkan validitas dan reliabilitas data, serta
memberikan wawasan yang lebih kaya bagi peneliti dan praktisi.
A. INTRODUCTION
Research in the social sciences, education and health are often faced with the challenge
of understanding complex phenomena. To overcome the limitations of separate quantitative
and qualitative approaches, mixed methods research is becoming an increasingly popular
option. Mixed methods is a research approach that combines quantitative and qualitative
methods in one study to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a problem (Creswell &
Plano Clark, 2018). A mixed methods approach not only allows for data triangulation, but also
provides flexibility in the in-depth exploration of the phenomenon under study. In social and
educational research, the use of mixed methods can increase the validity and reliability of
findings by integrating numerical and narrative data (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2010).
In addition, this approach is also useful in overcoming the limitations of each method,
where quantitative methods provide generalization and objectivity, while qualitative methods
provide an in-depth understanding of the social context (Bryman, 2012). Adopting mixed
methods in research requires careful design planning. Some of the main designs often used in
mixed methods research include convergent design, sequential explanatory design, and
sequential exploratory design (Creswell, 2014). The choice of design depends on the purpose
of the study, the type of data collected, and the analysis strategy used.
Despite its many advantages, the application of mixed methods also faces challenges,
such as complexity in design, the need for diverse research skills, and greater allocation of
time and resources (Plano Clark & Ivankova, 2016). Therefore, it is important for researchers
to understand the basic principles of mixed methods in order to design effective studies and
produce meaningful findings. This article aims to review the basic concepts, key designs, and
challenges and opportunities in mixed methods research. With a better understanding of
these methods, it is hoped that researchers can optimize the mixed methods approach in their
studies to produce richer and deeper findings.
B. RESEARCH METHODS
In writing this article, the method used was a literature review, which is an important
step in collecting and analyzing previous research. A literature review helps authors
understand the context and framework of existing research, as well as identify gaps that need
to be explored further. The data sources used in writing this article include scientific journals
and books. Scientific journals are the primary source because they contain the latest peer-
reviewed research. The data analysis techniques applied in this article include descriptive
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analysis and comparative analysis. Descriptive analysis is used to describe the data that has
been collected, while comparative analysis allows the author to compare the results of various
studies to draw broader conclusions.
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In the context of education, mixed methods research has been used to explore various
aspects such as learning experiences and the influence of the learning environment on
academic outcomes. By using mixed methods research, researchers can capture the nuances
of the student experience that quantitative methods alone cannot capture. This approach
allows researchers to understand how different variables interact in an educational context.
Mixed methods research offers an innovative and effective approach to exploring complex
phenomena. With its ability to combine multiple data sources, it can provide deeper and more
applicable insights. However, it is important to remember that using this method requires
skill and a good understanding of both approaches, as well as how to integrate them
effectively.
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interviews to obtain qualitative data. The results of these two methods can provide a clearer
picture of what customers really want.
2. Explanatory Sequential Design
This design is the use of two research methods (quantitative and qualitative) in a
sequence so that each method will be implemented one by one (not simultaneously) in two
different research phases (Vebrianto et al., 2020). This approach is usually used when
researchers want to dig deeper into initial quantitative findings or confirm and explain the
results of quantitative research with qualitative data (Nasution et al., 2019). The Mixed
Method research method, sequential explanatory model, is characterized by quantitative data
collection and analysis in the first stage, and followed by qualitative data collection and
analysis in the second stage, in order to strengthen the results of quantitative research
conducted in the first stage.
This design has a very logical approach, starting with quantitative data and then
followed by qualitative data to explain the initial findings. Researchers first collect and
analyze quantitative data, and based on those results, they conduct qualitative research to dig
deeper. This is especially useful when the quantitative results show unexpected or interesting
results. For example, if in a customer satisfaction survey it is found that 70% of customers are
dissatisfied, researchers can then conduct interviews to understand the reasons behind the
dissatisfaction. In this way, the researcher can explore deeper factors that may not be
apparent in the initial quantitative data. In this way, researchers can explore deeper factors
that may not be apparent in the initial quantitative data
3. Exploratory Sequential Design
Similar to the previous design, this exploratory sequential design also has the word
"sequential" in its naming. This has signaled that this type of mixed methods also does not
carry out both research methods (quantitative and qualitative) simultaneously, but
sequentially (Vebrianto et al., 2020). The Sequential Exploratory model refers to a mixed
methods research approach in which two main research stages are involved: a qualitative
stage followed by a quantitative stage. This approach allows researchers to gain a deeper and
more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon under study (Nasution et al., n.d.).
Mixed Method explanatory sequential model, characterized by data collection and
quantitative data analysis in the first stage, and followed by qualitative data collection and
analysis in the second stage, in order to strengthen the results of quantitative research
conducted in the first stage (Azhari et al., 2023). This design is the opposite of the Explanatory
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Sequential Design. Here, researchers start with qualitative data collection to explore a new,
under-researched phenomenon, and then use the results to develop quantitative instruments.
This approach is useful when the research topic is new and requires a deeper understanding.
For example, if researchers want to understand the impact of social media on adolescent
behavior, they might start with indepth interviews to gain initial insights. Based on these
insights, researchers can then design surveys to measure these trends more broadly in the
population.
4. Embedded Design
Mixed methods embedded design tends to give researchers the freedom to choose one
method to prioritize. Creswell mentioned that the strength of embedded design lies in
utilizing a combination of the advantages of both research methods. Therefore, this embedded
design is certainly quite effective and worth trying for researchers who want to get research
results with optimal interpretation by utilizing the advantages of both research methods
(Vebrianto et al., 2020). This research combination collects quantitative and qualitative data
together or sequentially where one form of data plays a supporting role for the other. The
application of this model can help gain a more holistic and in-depth understanding of the
phenomenon being studied (Nasution et al., n.d.).
In Embedded Design, one research method (either qualitative or quantitative) is
integrated into the main research design. This means that one approach serves as a
"complement" to the other. Usually, the more dominant method becomes the main focus,
while the lesser approach serves to enrich the analysis. For example, in a study focusing on
the effectiveness of a training program, researchers might use surveys to quantitatively
measure training outcomes. However, they may also include interviews with trainees to
understand their experiences in greater depth. This qualitative data will enrich the
understanding of how effective the program was.
5. Transformative Design
This transformative design is similar to the previously described mixed methods
research designs (convergent, explanatory, exploratory, or embedded). It applies one of the
four design flows. However, the fundamental difference lies only in the framework within
which the research is conducted. This transformative framework is the lens or perspective
brought by the researcher with the ultimate goal of "transformation or change" in the group
of participants under study. Usually, this type of transformative design research is widely
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used in feminist social research with the ending of social change at the end of the research
(Vebrianto et al., 2020).
Transformative Design focuses on social issues and seeks to give voice to
underrepresented groups. This design is often used in research that aims to promote social
change. In this approach, researchers combine qualitative and quantitative methods to
empower the voices and perspectives of marginalized groups. For example, in research on
education access for children from low economic backgrounds, researchers may use
interviews to hear stories directly from children and their parents, while also collecting
statistical data on education levels and resource access. This approach helps to illustrate the
challenges faced and encourage policy change.
6. Multiphase Design
As the name multiphase design implies, this research has multiple phases. This
multiphase researcher utilizes the concept of mixed methods design in general, but adds
multiphase to the design applied. Research that applies this design is research with a large
scale and program objectives that can be said to be complex. Therefore, researchers in this
design should first consider funds, abilities, and experience in large-scale research which is
certainly difficult to do individually but in teams (Vebrianto et al., 2020).
Multiphase design refers to research that is conducted in several phases and can involve
different types of methods. This approach is often used in larger and more complex research
projects, where researchers need to collect data in stages and build knowledge progressively.
For example, in a study that aims to evaluate a community program, the researcher might
start with an exploratory phase to understand the context, followed by an evaluation phase to
measure program outcomes, and finally a reflective phase to evaluate long-term impacts. In
this way, researchers can capture dynamics that change over time.
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1. Mixed methods research has several types of designs that can be chosen to be
implemented, of course, taking into account the research objectives, data sources,
priorities and research time. In research using this method, the researcher must provide
a clear outline and reason for choosing a mixed research design (quantitative and
qualitative). This outline or explanation is usually mentioned at the beginning before the
research is conducted. The reason for conducting a mixed method study is to explain in
more detail through initial quantitative statistical research obtained from data on a large
number of people and generalize the results, while qualitative allows in-depth
exploration of several individuals (Azhari et al., 2023).
2. Connecting, building new data, and embedding new data. This means that quantitative
and qualitative data are "mixed" in a study (Vebrianto et al., 2020).
3. This mixed methods research will use two sources of data derived from qualitative and
quantitative methods and then combine the two. Data collection methods are associated
with numbers or numerical data and words or text and image data (Azhari et al., 2023).
4. This research is used when a researcher wants to follow up on a study to get more
specific and detailed complementary information when compared to relying on only one
research method. One example is when a policymaker wants both "numerical" and
"narrative" data about a problem, the researcher can use both test and non-test data
collection techniques to obtain the data. Thus, these different sources of information
provide more detailed and appropriate results (Vebrianto et al., 2020).
5. Sequencing in data collection, the use of quantitative and qualitative data in combination
research allows for sequencing in the use of both types of data. There are several
possible sequences in data collection in combination research methods, namely: a.
quantitative data and qualitative data are taken simultaneously; b. quantitative data are
taken first before qualitative data; c. qualitative data are collected first before
quantitative data (Azhari et al., 2023).
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complexity of the research design. Because it involves the combination of two different
methods, mixed methods require careful planning and a deep understanding of both
approaches (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018).
In addition, mixed methods require more resources than research using only one
method. Collecting and analyzing data from two approaches requires more time, effort, and
cost (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2010). Researchers must also have skills in both methods in order
to be able to integrate the findings well. Another challenge in the application of mixed
methods is data validity and reliability. The process of integrating quantitative and qualitative
data often faces difficulties in concept alignment, interpretation of results, and justification of
the methodology used (Plano Clark & Ivankova, 2016). Therefore, it is important for
researchers to choose the right analysis strategy so that the research results can be
academically justified. Finally, the challenge of publication is also a concern, given that there
are still scientific journals that focus more on quantitative or qualitative methods separately.
Mixed methods researchers need to organize research reports clearly and systematically in
order to be accepted by the academic community (Bryman, 2012).
D. CONCLUSIONS
Mixed methods research offers a comprehensive solution to understanding complex
phenomena by integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. This article provides an
in-depth overview of various commonly used mixed methods designs, such as convergent
parallel design, exploratory sequential design, embedded design, transformative design, and
multiphase design. The use of mixed methods significantly increases the validity and
reliability of research findings by allowing for data triangulation and flexibility in in-depth
exploration. However, its application demands careful design planning, diverse research
skills, and adequate resource allocation. Understanding the basic principles and various
mixed methods designs is essential for researchers to design effective studies, generate richer
and deeper insights, and overcome the inherent limitations of a single approach. The
implications of mixed methods research are significant due to its ability to provide richer and
more relevant insights for both researchers and practitioners.
E. REFERENCE
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Mixed Method Research Untuk Disertasi. INNOVATIVE: Journal Of Social Science
Research, 3(2), 8010–8025. [Link]
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Bazeley, Patricia. 2018. Integrating Analyses in Mixed Methods Research. London: SAGE
Publications.
Bryman, A. (2012). Social Research Methods (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Creswell, John W., dan Vicki L. Plano Clark. 2018. Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods
Research. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.
Indrawan, D., & Jalilah, S. R. (2021). Metode Kombinasi/Campuran Bentuk Integrasi Dalam
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Ivankova, Nataliya V., Laura N. Creswell, dan Sarah Tashakkori. 2006. "Mixed Methods: A New
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Paradigm Whose Time Has Come." Educational Researcher 33 (7): 14-26.
Justan, R., Margiono, M., Aziz, A., & Sumiati, S. (2024). Penelitian Kombinasi (Mixed Methods).
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Patonah, I., Sambella, M., Az-Zahra, S. M., & Tirtayasa, U. S. A. (2023). Pendekatan Penelitian
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Vebrianto, R., Thahir, M., Putriani, Z., Mahartika, I., Ilhami, A., & Diniya. (2020). Mixed Methods
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