Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches

One of the most cited methods resources for studies like ours.  I have the physical book. If y'all wanna see it let me know.

• We are using mixed methods.
• Our study is a sequential exploratory strategy.  This means quantitative first, then priority given to the qualitative findings
• Most basic purpose is to use quantitative data to assist in interpretation of qualitative findings.
• Purpose of combining qualitative with quantitative is also to see "the distribution of a phenomenon within a chosen population"
• Sequential exploratory strategy's two phases are "easy to implement  and straightforward to describe and report"
• This model is advantageous when designing a a new instrument...US!
• "This model could make a largely qualitative study more palatable to a quantitative adviser...unfamiliar with the naturalistic tradition"

Data Analysis and Validation procedures

• In the proposal we need to identify the procedures within the design. Types of procedures:
• Data transformation: creating codes and themes in our transcriptions, counting their occurrences, essentially quantifying our qualitative data.  
• Explore Outliers: initial quantitative data could produce extreme or outlier cases.  Follow-up with these cases can give insight to why they were deviant.

Researchers  advocate for the use of validity procedures for both qual and quant phases in a proposal.  We have to address potential threats to internal validity and discuss past use of similar instruments. p. 221

Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design : qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches / John W. Creswell. Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Sage Publications, c2003.