What does mixed-methods research aim to achieve?

Mixed-methods research aims to achieve a comprehensive understanding of a research problem by integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. By combining these two methods, researchers can leverage the strengths of each, allowing for a richer and more nuanced exploration of complex issues.

Qualitative research provides detailed contextual insights, offering depth and narrative elements that can highlight personal experiences, motivations, and perceptions. On the other hand, quantitative research delivers statistical data that can quantify trends, patterns, and relationships, lending itself to generalizability and objectivity in findings.

By utilizing both methods, mixed-methods research allows for triangulation, where one type of data can corroborate another, leading to more robust conclusions. Furthermore, this approach can help in generating new hypotheses and informing future research directions based on the findings derived from both qualitative and quantitative data.

This combination enhances the overall validity of the research by addressing the limitations inherent in using only one method, thereby providing a more holistic view of the research question.