Mixed Methods Research Framework Research Articles

Research on the Innovation Path of Music Education in Higher Vocational Colleges and Universities in the Context of the New Era

Abstract This study navigates the digital transformation challenges within music education at higher vocational colleges and universities, proposing an innovative approach that integrates modern technology to enhance student musicality. Employing a mixed-methods research framework that combines quantitative and qualitative analyses, we explore the impact of digital teaching tools, including artificial intelligence and multimedia resources, on students’ musical understanding and creativity. Our findings reveal that students engaged with our digital-enhanced educational model exhibit significant improvements in rhythmic sense (30% increase) and creativity (25% increase) compared to traditional settings. This synergy of music education and technology elevates teaching outcomes and fosters innovative thinking among students, suggesting new directions for the evolution of music education in higher education institutions.

The Individual Youth-related Factors Influencing the Extent of Youth Engagement in Development Interventions in Western Kenya

This paper discusses the factors affecting how much the youth are engaged in development programmes. Despite development interventions that the government and its partners have embarked on to promote youth development in Kenya, there is room for improvement in youth engagement. The study utilized a pragmatism research philosophy, incorporating qualitative and quantitative research methods within a mixed-methods research framework and concurrent triangulation research design. Using simple random sampling procedure, 329 youths were selected for the quantitative component, while 18 participants were selected purposively for the qualitative component. Quantitative data was collected through the survey method using interviewer-administered questionnaires, while qualitative data was gathered through key informant and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analysed statistically, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results show the highest proportion of respondents (41.7%) had low extent of engagement in development interventions. Individual youth factors such as the level of education (p=.0120), age cohort (p=.027), and locality (p=.010), and level of independence (p=.05) influenced the extent of youth engagement in development interventions. However, the gender of the youth, marital status, parental economic status, parental occupation and parental/guardians’ level of education had no statistically significant relationship with the extent of youth engagement. Tailoring youth development interventions to the unique characteristics of all youths is recommended based on this paper's conclusion that low youth engagement was attributed to individual youth-related factors. Additionally, programme managers should encourage genuine youth involvement in all stages of interventions’ development to ensure that they own interventions that target them.

Characterizing online social support for alcohol use disorder: A mixed-methods approach.

Online social media communities are increasingly popular venues for discussing alcohol use disorder (AUD) and recovery. Little is known about distinct contexts of social support that are exchanged in this milieu, which are critical to understanding the social dynamics of online recovery support. We randomly selected one post per day over the span of a year from the StopDrinking recovery forum. Direct responses to posts were double coded within an established theoretical framework of social support. Within a mixed-methods research framework, we quantified the linguistic characteristics of 1386 responses (i.e., text length, complexity, and sentiment) and qualitatively explored themes within and among different types of social support. Emotional support was most prevalent (74% of responses) and appeared as the sole form of support in 38% of responses. Emotionally supportive responses were significantly shorter, less complex, and more positively valenced than other support types. Appraisal support was also common in 55% of responses, while informational support was identified in only 17%. There was substantial overlap among support types, with 40% of responses including two or more types. Salient themes included the common use of community-specific acronyms in emotional support. Appraisal support conveyed feedback about attitudes and behaviors that are perceived as (un-) favorable for AUD recovery. Informational support responses were composed primarily of recommendations for self-help literature, clinical treatment approaches, and peer recovery programs. Social support in this sample was primarily emotional in nature, with other types of support included to provide feedback and guidance (i.e., appraisal support) and supplemental recovery resources (i.e., informational support). The provided social support framework can be helpful in characterizing community dynamics among heterogeneous online AUD recovery support forums. This framework could also be helpful in considering changes in support approaches that correspond to progress in recovery.

Determining Artificial Lighting Criteria for Traditional Mud Buildings and Their Impact on Aesthetic Values and Functional Aspects (A Case Study: Historical At-Turaif District)

This study aimed to analyze the lighting design in selected historical sites. Lighting plays a significant role in reflecting symbolic, functional, and aesthetic values. Our study found that there is no special recognition for mud buildings’ outdoor lighting standards, so we analyzed the lighting design in a case study approved by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority. We developed lighting criteria and tested the effect of the building surface on these criteria, to be used as a reference for lighting local mud heritage buildings. This study used a mixed methods research framework encompassing both qualitative and quantitative data. For the qualitative data, a descriptive–analytical approach was used to list all the criteria found in the literature for historical and heritage buildings, as well as site visits and observations for the selected mud building. The quantitative data contained the dimensions identified in the first phase to develop and test the preferences of lighting criteria illuminance and correlated color temperature (CCT). A computer simulation was created to derive the outdoor lighting standards, and a questionnaire was developed to assess clarity, sensitivity, and preferences. The findings revealed that participants mostly preferred higher illuminance and warm temperature was preferred over other temperature options. The manuscript concludes with some recommendations for future studies.

Analysis of Relationship between Service Quality of Food and Beverage and Customer Behaviors for Sustainable Golf Course Management

This study verified the analysis of the relationship between service quality of food and beverage and customer behaviors for sustainable golf course management. This study employed triangulation design, a mixed methods research framework that compares the results of quantitative and qualitative investigations. The quantitative study verified the effects of service quality of food and beverage on customer loyalty and willingness to recommend online. The subjects of the quantitative study analyzed the responses of 372 golfers over 20 who use driving ranges in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. The results of the quantitative study were as follows. First, reliability and responsiveness among sub-factors of service quality had a positive effect on customer loyalty. Second, empathy among sub-factors of service quality had a positive effect on willingness to recommend online. Third, customer loyalty had a positive effect on willingness to recommend online. Fourth, customer loyalty had a mediating effect on the relationship between reliability among sub-factors of service quality and willingness to recommend online. For the qualitative study, six research participants were selected, and in-depth interviews were conducted on golfers’ preference and non-preference factors for food and beverage services at golf courses’ clubhouses. The qualitative research results are as follows. First, Golf participants recognized that the speed of food preparation and prompt provision of food and beverages were significant. Second, the food flavors and the clubhouse restaurant’s physical environment were also deemed important. Third, poor quality of food and beverage facilities and meals negatively affect the reliability and willingness to recommend the golf course. This study is unique in that it adopted a mixed methods approach, which has not been done in related previous studies.

Recommendations for a transition to ‘Railway 4.0 for Europe’

This research developed transitional scenarios for the European rail sector to transition to ‘Railway 4.0’ by the year 2050 based on interdisciplinary research informed by key choice variable modelling, co-created business model generation and semi structured interviews within the context of expert knowledge held by the authors and supported by desktop research. This work was developed in a mixed methods research framework. The number of interviewees is reported where appropriate to the methodologies concerned. We have detailed the impact assessment framework, CANVAS, and governance interviews developed and used. We have reported the individual key results from each approach and then an integration of same and finally policy recommendations.

An Empirical Study of the Behaviors of Korean Golf Travelers Based on the Choice Attributes of Golf Courses in Southeast Asia.

The purpose of this study was to understand customer behavior among Korean golf travelers based on the choice attributes of golf courses in Southeast Asia. This study was based on Creswell and Clark’s triangulation design, a mixed-methods research framework that compares the results of quantitative and qualitative investigations. The results of the quantitative study were as follows. ‘H1. Golf course choice attributes will have a positive effect on customer satisfaction’ was partially accepted. Among choice attributes, course management, price, operations management, and lodgings had an effect on customer satisfaction. ‘H2. Customer satisfaction will have a positive effect on intention to revisit’ was accepted. ‘H3. Customer satisfaction will have a mediation effect on the relationship between intention to revisit, and golf course choice attributes’ was partially accepted. Among choice attributes, customer satisfaction only showed a mediating effect in the relationship of intention to revisit with course management and price. The novelty of this study is that we performed mixed-methods research, which has not been carried out in previous studies. Furthermore, we conducted in-depth interviews only with golfers who visited courses in South Asia, selected based on their duration and purpose of the visit. The results of the qualitative study were compared with those of the quantitative study to provide empirical evidence that can be used to help domestic golf travel industry and golf courses in Southeast Asia.

Embracing the Messiness in Mixed Methods Research: The Craft Attitude

Whereas the significance and potential impacts of messiness in mixed methods research have been well acknowledged, the literature on mixed methods research has accumulated few examples of engaging and navigating mess. This article provides an account of the nitty-gritty of messiness and its consequences during the process of mixed methods research. By applying the ‘craft attitude’ and a socio-ecological framework for mixed methods research to a mixed methods case study, I demonstrate how my embracing of research messiness through the craft attitude exemplifies the interconnectedness of the personal, interpersonal and social contexts. This article contributes to knowledge by proposing a new way to conceptualize mess in mixed methods research through the integration of the craft attitude within the socio-ecological framework for mixed methods research.

General Practitioners' Perspectives on Appropriate Use of Ultrasonography in Primary Care in Denmark: A Multistage Mixed Methods Study.

Researchers aimed to describe general practitioners' understanding of appropriate ultrasound use, to record actual scanning practices of early adopters in general practice, and to identify differences between attitudes and actual practice via a mixed methods analysis. This study was part of a larger multistage mixed methods research framework exploring the use of ultrasound in general practice in Denmark. We used an exploratory sequential approach in the data collection with initial qualitative findings from an interview study applied to building a quantitative questionnaire utilized in a cohort study. In addition, we merged the qualitative and quantitative data using joint display analysis to compare and contrast the results from the 2 stages of the study. In the interviews, general practitioners described appropriate ultrasound use as point-of-care examinations with a clear purpose and limited to predefined specific conditions within delimited anatomic areas. They stated that general practitioners should receive formalized ultrasound training and be skilled in the examinations they perform. In the cohort study, general practitioners performed ultrasound examinations of anatomic areas with or without a defined clinical suspicion. Some performed ultrasound examinations for which they had no previous training or skills. We found a difference between the ideas about the appropriate uses for ultrasound in general practice and the actual use by early adopters in clinical practice. Our findings suggest a need for evidence-based guidelines to support general practitioners in choosing which examinations to perform and strategies for developing and maintaining scanning competency.

Investigating the underlying social psychology of the innovation adoption in container trucking industry

• We exam the social psychology of technology adoption in container trucking industry. • Our research includes contextualized behavior analysis and discrete choice model. • Risk tolerance positively moderates influence of the status quo on adoption. • Service-orientation negatively moderates influence of the status quo on adoption. Most extant literature in the transportation industry views innovation adoption as a rational choice process conducted on a cost-benefit calculation basis. This restricts our understanding of innovation decisions made by individuals embedded in a social-economic context. By investigating the underlying social psychology of the innovation adoption in the Chinese container trucking industry, this paper aims to answer the question as to ‘why trucking operators postpone adopting the cargo-truck matching system during its early stage’. In order to achieve the research objective, a mixed methods research framework is proposed. First, we conduct four in-depth interviews using semi-structured questionnaires to investigate the contextualized behavior of individuals, based on which three hypotheses are developed. Second, based on the data collected from an online questionnaire survey covering 282 trucking operators in Ningbo, the proposed empirical hypotheses are tested using a discrete choice model. We find that risk tolerance positively moderates influence of the status quo on the innovation adoption decision, whilst the effect on it of service-orientation is negative.

Effects of Legal Designation and Management of a Multiple-Use Protected Area on Local Sustainability

The designation of protected areas (PAs) entails environmental, social, and economic effects to local stakeholders through access restriction to natural resources. We used a mixed methods research framework that combines time series analysis and stakeholder surveys to elicit objective and subjective effects of legal and managerial designation of Sierra Cabrera-Bedar Natura 2000 site on local sustainability in south-eastern Spain. Firstly, 47 environmental, social, and economic variables for which official time series data were available were assessed using a multiple-paired-Before-After-Control-Impact research design, where “Impacts” were: (1) legal designation of Sierra Cabrera-Bedar as a Site of Community Importance (SCI); and (2) management implementation of the site as an Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The two municipalities having most of their territories in Sierra Cabrera-Bedar SCI/SAC were selected as ‘Cases’, whereas two similar municipalities outside the PA were chosen as ‘Controls’. Additionally, 13 local organisations pertaining to 11 socioeconomic guilds from case municipalities were surveyed on their perceived effects of the designation Sierra Cabrera-Bedar as an SAC on 28 social and economic variables. The effects of legal and managerial protection of the site on local sustainability were unclear although greater SAC sustainability is suggested, even though limited time series availability for the SAC period increases uncertainty. Local organisations perceived mostly limited and negative socioeconomic effects from SAC designation. Disagreement between statistical and perceptual results suggests use of time series analyses for accurate assessment of socioeconomic effects of PAs in Spain.

From Mixing methods to the logic(s) of inquiry: taking a fresh look at developing mixed design studies

ABSTRACTObjective: This invited paper offers an innovative framework for mixed methods research design.Method: We propose the adoption of the Model of Disciplined Inquiry, a five-component model that focuses on the research question(s) rather than the type(s) of data collected. This pluralist model firmly anchors the research design and paradigm assumptions in the research question(s). Decisions about an appropriate research strategy are made in line with those assumptions. We propose three logics of inquiry to help articulate the processes involved in making sense of findings and their relationship to theory.Results: The Model of Disciplined Inquiry is demonstrated by applying it to the framework to a longitudinal study and describe our decision-making processes at each component stage. The results support the arguement in favour of shifting the focus away from the types of data generated (i.e. qualitative or quantitative) and relatedly a move away from mixed methods research to mixed design research.Conclusion: We conclude the paper with some challenges experienced in the example study and some challenges yet to be resolved.

Geo-Nested Analysis: Mixed-Methods Research with Spatially Dependent Data

Mixed-methods designs, especially those where cases selected for small-N analysis (SNA) are nested within a large-N analysis (LNA), have become increasingly popular. Yet, since the LNA in this approach assumes that units are independently distributed, such designs are unable to account for spatial dependence, and dependence becomes a threat to inference, rather than an issue for empirical or theoretical investigation. This is unfortunate, since research in political science has recently drawn attention to diffusion and interconnectedness more broadly. In this paper we develop a framework for mixed-methods research with spatially dependent data—a framework we label “geo-nested analysis”—where insights gleaned at each step of the research process set the agenda for the next phase and where case selection for SNA is based on diagnostics of a spatial-econometric analysis. We illustrate our framework using data from a seminal study of homicides in the United States.

Pragmatism, Factor Analysis, and the Conditional Incompatibility Thesis in Mixed Methods Research

This article advances the conditional incompatibility thesis, which when left unaddressed, poses challenges to the pragmatic maxim as a guiding framework for mixed methods research. The conditional incompatibility thesis stands in opposition to two claims, the first pertaining to the position that incompatibility can be avoided by adherence to a “whatever-works” maxim. Also questioned is the claim that quantitative and qualitative data are inherently incompatible. Arguing that there are conditions under which incompatibility occurs, we illustrate within the context of latent variable modeling how particular techniques, methods, and/or decisions fail to be philosophically neutral. Offered are methods through which researchers can be more mindful of, and thus transparent about, the influence of philosophical perspectives in their work.

Using a Theory of Practice to Clarify Epistemological Challenges in Mixed Methods Research: An Example of Theorizing, Modeling, and Mapping Changing West African Seed Systems

This article argues that Bourdieu’s theory of practice offers a unified epistemological foundation for mixed methods research by emphasizing the reflexive and iterative nature of knowing, and the relational aspects of knowledge construction. The increasing presence of spatial data and tools in research fields that focus on sociospatial phenomena suggests that visual representation can facilitate the resituating of objective patterns within a subjective context of geographic and symbolic space. The article presents the foundations of the theory of practice as a unifying framework for mixed methods research that incorporates spatiality. The article then offers an example of empirical research that characterizes changing seed systems in West Africa using the theory of practice to guide mixed methods research and analysis.

A Mixed-Methods Research Framework for Healthcare Process Improvement

The healthcare system in the United States is spiraling out of control due to ever-increasing costs without significant improvements in quality, access to care, satisfaction, and efficiency. Efficient workflow is paramount to improving healthcare value while maintaining the utmost standards of patient care and provider satisfaction in high stress environments. This article provides healthcare managers and quality engineers with a practical healthcare process improvement framework to assess, measure and improve clinical workflow processes. The proposed mixed-methods research framework integrates qualitative and quantitative tools to foster the improvement of processes and workflow in a systematic way. The framework consists of three distinct phases: 1) stakeholder analysis, 2a) survey design, 2b) time-motion study, and 3) process improvement. The proposed framework is applied to the pediatric intensive care unit of the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. The implementation of this methodology led to identification and categorization of different workflow tasks and activities into both value-added and non-value added in an effort to provide more valuable and higher quality patient care. Based upon the lessons learned from the case study, the three-phase methodology provides a better, broader, leaner, and holistic assessment of clinical workflow. The proposed framework can be implemented in various healthcare settings to support continuous improvement efforts in which complexity is a daily element that impacts workflow. We proffer a general methodology for process improvement in a healthcare setting, providing decision makers and stakeholders with a useful framework to help their organizations improve efficiency.

Mixed-methods research: What’s in it for economists?

AbstractEmpirical studies in economics traditionally use a limited range of methods, usually based on particular types of regression analysis. Increasingly, sophisticated regression techniques require the availability of appropriate data sets, often longitudinal and typically collected at a national level. This raises challenges for researchers seeking to investigate issues requiring data that are not typically included in regular large-scale data. It also raises questions of the adequacy of relying mainly or solely on regression analysis for investigating key issues of economic theory and policy. One way of addressing these issues is to employ a mixed-methods research framework to investigate important research questions. In this article, we provide an example of applying a mixed-methods design to investigate the employment decisions of mature age women working in the aged care sector. We outline the use of a coherent and robust framework to allow the integrated collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. Drawing on particular examples from our analysis, we show how a mixed-methods approach facilitates richer insights, more finely grained understandings of causal relationships and identification of emergent issues. We conclude that mixed-methods research has the capacity to provide surprises and generate new insights through detailed exploratory data analysis.

Promoting the Reflective Teacher through Peer Coaching to Improve Teaching Skills

Effective reflection is an important component of quality teaching. A teacher who can reflect on their own practices to find better ways of teaching is a reflective teacher. Such a teacher, who regularly considers their own practices, is more likely to develop and improve their professional learning. This study used peer coaching to help support and promote reflective teaching, for the improvement of teaching skills through a powerful professional learning community. The design of this study comprised three phases: 1) conceptual change 2) practice in becoming a reflective teacher and enabling teachers to coach each other (there are obvious benefits to colleagues collaborating and sharing ideas, thoughts and observations) and 3) assessing and reflecting on teaching skills. The participants were grade 5-6 teachers in the Phetchaburi province of Thailand. A mixed methods research framework was used to collect and analyse data. Data source triangulation was used to enhance the trustworthiness of the data. The findings indicate that peer coaching enriches teachers’ personal reflections on their practices, provides teachers with suggestions from peers on how to refine their practices and fosters a community of teachers who are intent on improving and invigorating their teaching skills.

Principals’ and Teachers’ Use of Evaluation Results for Student Learning in Science

This study aimed to promote the use of evaluation results by principals and teachers to support and engage students in learning science. Using the concepts of collaborative working and needs assessment, the study specifically designed a three-phase, firstly to complete needs assessment then to imply the programs and to focus on the conclusion and reflection in the third phase. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed using the mixed methods research framework. The results revealed that teachers and administrators partly use the evaluation results as a benchmark to improve the instructional activities.

Leveraging power of learning capability upon manufacturing operations

Learning capability (LC) is a special dynamic capability that a firm purposefully builds to develop a cognitive focus, so as to enable the configuration and improvement of other capabilities (both dynamic and operational) to create and respond to market changes. Empirical evidence regarding the essential role of LC in leveraging operational manufacturing capabilities is, however, limited in the literature. This study takes a routine-based approach to understand capability, and focuses on demonstrating leveraging power of LC upon two essential operational capabilities within the manufacturing context, i.e., operational new product development capability (ONPDC), and operational supplier integration capability (OSIC). A mixed-methods research framework was used, which combines sources of evidence derived from a survey study and a multiple case study. This study identified high-level routines of LC that can be designed and controlled by managers and practitioners, to reconfigure underlying routines of ONPDC and OSIC to achieve superior performance in a turbulent environment. Hence, the study advances the notion of knowledge-based dynamic capabilities, such as LC, as routine bundles. It also provides an impetus for managing manufacturing operations from a capability-based perspective in the fast changing knowledge era.