Existing Mixed Methods Studies

By Author: Sherry Roberts
Total Articles: 99
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Synopsis 1
Sokro (2012) conducted a study to investigate the relationship that exists between employee motivation, performance, and organizational culture. So as to find the culture and the motivation link, the researcher considered using the mixed method approach. During data analysis, the researcher interpreted the data using both qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques. The study used the mixed method so as to offer more validation to the research. Since the study aimed at investigating the link between employee motivation, performance, and organizational culture, it was convenient using mixed method approach.
Study contribution
Organization culture tends to have several characteristics that employee do not know how they influence them. Thus, the study by Sokro (2012) has a positive contribution to my research proposal as it offers extensive literature on culture and the culture that organizations should develop so as to motivate employees to perform.
Synopsis 2
Mohamad (2013) research focused on the influence of corporate culture, ICT diffusion innovation, and corporate leadership ...
... on the corporate communication management and its impact on organizational performance. In the study, the researcher used a mixed method so as to be able to conclude if an aspect of a phenomenon measured appropriately. The mixed method had two phases with the first being qualitative study using semi-structure interviews and the second phase including a quantitative method using online survey.
Study contribution
According to Mohamad (2013), he found that corporate culture has a positive relationship with the mission achievement and a negative relationship with the financial performance. In the study, the researcher identified the relationship of the organization culture and mission achievement. Using the findings by Mohammad, it will assist me to make the connection of how the mission of the organization influences the performance of employees.
Synopsis 3
O’Neill and Jarratt (2002) research identifies the organization cultural dimensions are underpinning successful, effective, supportive, and normative relationship behavior and lead to relationship outcome of performance, equality, and satisfaction. When conducting the study, the researchers use qualitative and quantitative investigation. The quantitative approach confirmed the role of culture in shaping the B-2-B relationship behavior. Secondly, the empirical investigation captured the cross-sectional data from the business enterprise on the cultural and relationship processes, controls, and outcomes. The study findings show that the moral integrity values directly and positively contribute to the communication and innovative culture, and it enhances relationship management practice.
Study contribution
The study by O’Neill and Jarratt (2002) provided an empirical effort to integrate the individual values, organization-cultural aspects, and the relationship management. The study findings are relevant to my study proposal as I will use these findings in evaluating the role that culture plays in the organizations. The aspects underpinning the cultural values are necessary for the creation of a relationship longevity, commitment, and trust. Using these findings, it will guide me in understanding the values driving the culture of an organization.
The mixed method studies identified above are all focusing on organization culture. According to the studies, organization culture tends to be a major area of academic study and it captures the interest of practitioners through various management publications. In my research proposal, I intend to use the findings in these research articles and apply them to my study of how organization culture impacts the performance of employees.
Questions
How does the culture of an organization influence relationship trust and longevity?
Reference
Mohamad B (2013). The structural relationship between corporate culture, ICT diffusion innovation, corporate leadership, corporate communication management activities and organizational performance Retrieved from http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/bitstream/2438/7635/1/FulltextThesis.pdf
O’Neill, G & jarratt, D (2002). The effect of organizational culture on business-to-business relationship management practice and performance Australasian marketing journal 10 (3), 21-40
Sokro, E (2012). Analysis of the relationship that exists between organizational culture, motivation, and performance Problems of Management in the 21st Century 3, 106-119
 
Reflecting on mixed methods research
The quantitative and qualitative research methods tend to complement each other. Sometimes, the researcher conducts a qualitative study to follow up on findings from the quantitative data and help understand what the figures mean. At times, a researcher conducts the quantitative study so as to follow up on the findings of a qualitative data. Since there is a need for statistical computations developed using qualitative methods and theories developed from interviews in a focus group, it makes it effective to use mixed method design today. A mixed method research is a procedure for collecting, analyzing, and mixing both qualitative and quantitative research and methods in a single study so as to understand the research problem (Creswell 2012). I do not believe that it is viable only to consider qualitative and quantitative methods for a research study. When using both methods in the study, it provides the researcher with a chance of reaping the benefits of both research methods.
Mixed methods research design provides a more holistic approach to arriving at an answer to the problem statement. A mixed method research method usually helps the research to study through an observational and numerical point of view (Creswell, 2009). It is an appropriate method of study as it tends to increase the deep and wider understanding of the study phenomenon. The research method also tends to increase the study accuracy that tends to be a measure of validity (Onwuegbuzie & Leech 2006). The mixed method warranted from the perspective that the justification of the method is not the theoretical assumptions of the individual methods, but the result (Onwuegbuzie & Leech 2006). The mixed method helps in extending the understanding of the research problem because the flexibility of the mixed methods tends to produce the scientific richness of the phenomenon.
It is essential for a researcher to be conversant in both qualitative and quantitative methods. It is important because quantitative and qualitative method do not necessarily mesh well within one study. Since the two utilize different paradigms, different approaches to interacting with participants, and different conceptions of research role, the outcomes of the qualitative and quantitative research might not just be disparate, but also incompatible. Dealing with the gap will require the researcher to be conversant with both methods. The mixed method normally increases the credibility of the knowledge through improving internal consistency and generalizability by combining qualitative and quantitative methods in the same study (Creswell, 2009).
So as to develop further expertise in mixed methods, it is significant to understand how to apply quantitative and qualitative methods in the study. The benefit of using mixed method is the validation of the qualitative results of the quantitative studies. Before determining whether to use the mixed research method, I will have to consider some questions. That is, whether the research question requires being answered by both types of data, the rationale for combining both types, and the structure I want to present the findings.
 
Reference
Creswell, J. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. California: Sage
Creswell, J. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating the quantitative and qualitative research. NJ: Pearson Education
Onwuegbuzie, A. & Leech, N.L. (2006). Linking research questions to mixed-methods data analysis procedures The Qualitative Report, 11(3), 474-498

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