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COMPARISON OF
QUALITATIVE, QUANTITATIVE,
AND MIXED METHODS RESEARCH
QUALITATIVE
METHODS
Emerging methods
Open-ended
Interview, observation,
document, and audiovisual
Text and image analysis
Themes, patterns
interpretation
Phenomenology, grounded
theory, ethnography,
case studies, narrative
MIXED METHODS
Both predetermined
and emerging methods
Both open- and
closed-ended
Multiple forms of data
drawing on all possibilities
Statistical and
text analysis
Across databases
interpretation
Sequential, convergent,
and embedded
QUANTITATIVE
METHODS
Predetermined
Instrument based
Performance, attitude,
observational, and census
Statistical analysis
Statistical interpretation
Surveys, experiments
CHARACTERISTICS
DEGREE OF
PREDETERMINED
NATURE
QUESTIONS
DATA TYPES
ANALYSIS
MAY EMPLOY
THESE STRATEGIES
OF INQUIRY
INTERPRETATION
Source: Research Design, 5e by John W. Creswell and J. David Creswell
