Question

Identify two concrete research designs where mixed methods research could be applied in information technology

what are the strength and limitations of using mixed method approach

Answer 1

Two research designs where the mixed methods approach can be beneficial include:

• Sequential Exploratory Design – This method is a two phase design and its purpose is to develop an instrument (such as a questionnaire), to develop a classification for testing, or to identify variables. It first collects qualitative data and is the followed by quantitative data collection.
• Concurrent Triangulation Design – This method is used to confirm, cross-validate or corroborate findings. Here, qualitative and quantitative data are collected concurrently in one phase. The data is analyzed separately and then compared and/or combined.

The primary advantages of mixed methods design are that they provide a more complete and comprehensive understanding of the research problem and provide strengths that offset the weaknesses of both quantitative and qualitative research. However, the limitations are that the research design can be very complex and it takes much more time and resources to plan and implement this type of research.