A three tier evaluation mixed method research model aiming to select an adequate MCDA method for public sector procurement

Abstract

This paper presents the three tier mixed-method (TTMM) design, discusses it in relation to more traditional mixed method approaches and presents a summary of the findings of the research that originated it. This research design emerged from a project that aimed to identify a suitable multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method according to legal, operational and performance requirements associated with public procurement in the Maldives. This design followed a sequential method and perspective triangulation that encompasses three different methods, namely a systematic literature review, focus group interviews and a quantitative performance analysis. The design was found to be particularly useful in enabling the systematic and evidence-based selection of one MCDA method out of more than 80 potential candidates. TTMM as a general mixed method research framework is applicable to similar research studies where the understanding of legal, operational and performance factors inform the selection of IT artefacts in specific contexts.