Mixed Methods
Mixed Methods Research
The Odum Institute provides ongoing consulting services and short courses on mixed methods research and related software. Mixed methods research provides researchers with strategies for combining or connecting qualitative and quantitative data.
Consulting
Paul Mihas can provide information on the deductive and inductive approaches that shape mixed methods design. Specific designs include sequential exploratory, sequential explanatory, convergent parallel, and embedded designs. Mihas can help you through all stages of your project, including the early stages of developing research questions and proposal writing.
Short consultations with Paul are available by appointment and free of charge to UNC students, faculty and staff.
He also provides additional services — such as developing test instruments, running focus groups/interviews and analyzing data — on a cost-reimbursement basis. For more information or to set up an appointment, please email Paul directly using the information provided below.
Paul Mihas
Assistant Director of Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research
919-962-0513paul_mihas@unc.edu
Guest Lectures
If you would like to schedule a guest lecture on mixed methods, please contact Paul Mihas at paul_mihas@unc.edu or visit our guest lecture request page.
Dissertation & Master’s Thesis Assistance
If you would like Paul Mihas to provide feedback regarding a master’s thesis or dissertation proposal or draft of a chapter, please feel free to contact him at paul_mihas@unc.edu.
Mixed Methods Data Analysis Software
The Odum Institute provides specialized computer programs that provide tools for mixed methods analyses; these include QSR NVivo, ATLAS.ti, MAXQDA, and a web-based program, Dedoose.
Odum offers short courses on these programs as well as consultations regarding their use. Please see the current Institute short course schedule or contact Paul Mihas to arrange a customized presentation for graduate or undergraduate classes or other special audiences.
QRS NVivo is a software program for coding and analyzing textual and multimedia data. It also allows researchers to construct diagrams (“mind maps” and “concept maps”) of codes and transcripts and automatically generates comparison diagrams to assess differences between codes or transcripts.
Its analytical strengths include:
- Cluster analysis of transcripts and multidimensional matrix analysis of codes
- Quantitative variables for “mixing” quantitative and qualitative data.
ATLAS.ti, a program for analyzing textual and multimedia data, allows users to analyze data based on codes and analytical memos. The software also allows users to create diagrams of transcripts, quotations, memos, and codes and to create links between these “objects” in diagrams.
The query tool lets users ask complex questions of their data, including Boolean searches or queries based on demographics. A co-occurrence table allows researchers to review conceptual intersections of codes. A joint-display matrix allows users to combine qualitative codes and quantitative variables.
MAXQDA is a qualitative analysis software package that helps researchers code textual, audio, or video data and analyze coded segments.
The software also allows users to merge qualitative and quantitative analysis by exporting and importing variables to and from SPSS and Excel. The software includes a mixed methods set of tools for generating tables that “mix” the qualitative codes and quantitative variables. A memo-writing feature allows users to add reflective writing to their analytic process.
A content analysis feature allows researchers to create a special dictionary of keywords. Intercoder reliability features are also available.
Dedoose is a web-based application for analyzing qualitative and mixed methods research with text, images, audio, videos, and spreadsheet data. The program provides numerous user-friendly charts for making sense of mixed methods studies.
Additional Resources:
Sage Publications provides information on specific mixed methods approaches. For more information, please see methods.sagepub.com/datasets. One example of an article is:
The Qualitative Research Resources Page from the UNC Health Sciences Library is also an excellent resource for information on qualitative research methods.