Toolkit 11: Practical considerations of leading and working on a mixed methods project
Vanessa May and Hazel Burke, Morgan Centre, University of Manchester, July 2010
Summary
The aim of this toolkit is to highlight key issues that might arise out of leading or working on a mixed methods research project. It will be useful for both Principal Investigators or project leaders, and other team members alike, and will offer a practical guide to help prepare for, design and carry out a mixed methods project.
The focus of this toolkit is in other words on the practical aspects of such work, covering some of the more common pitfalls that mixed methods projects might face: the importance of teamwork; the need to allow for extra time; issues around data analysis and integration; and publishing from mixed methods projects.
Other resources on mixing methods and data
- May, V (2010) 'What to do with contradictory data?,' Toolkit 12
- Mason, J (2006) 'Six strategies for mixing methods and linking data in social research', Working paper 04 (PDF opens in a new window)
- Irwin, S (2006) 'Combining data, enhancing explanation', Working paper #02 (PDF opens in a new window)
- Mason, J (2006) 'Mixing methods in a qualitatively-driven way', Qualitative Research Vol 6 (1) 19-25