Introduction to Mixed Methods Research

Click on the appropriate button to begin. If you are employed by NYS or a local health department in NYS, we recommend that you register for this course through the NYS Department of Health Learning Management System (DOH LMS) .

I am NOT a New York State Employee I Work for NYSDOH or a LHD in NYS

Overview

The following course is designed to provide the learner with an introduction to the benefits of mixed methods, different mixed methods research designs, and methods of analyzing and integrating mixed methods data.

Who should take this course?

This course is designed for individuals who have a background in designing or implementing either qualitative or quantitative research (or both) and who would like to expand their work to include mixed methods research. The course is ideal for those with a Master’s in public health or another social/behavioral or health science discipline or who have equivalent experience in the design or conduct of qualitative or quantitative research.

Upon completion of this training, students should be able to:

Learning Objectives

  • Compare the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative and quantitative research.
  • Explain how mixed methods research design can take advantage of the strengths of both approaches.
  • Identify the five main types of mixed methods design and the goals of each type.
  • Match the appropriate type of mixed methods design with the aims of the research question.
  • Recognize the implications of mixed methods design on other aspects of the research design, including the sampling, measurement, and analysis.
  • Describe the main ways in which qualitative and quantitative data may be appropriately integrated during analysis.

Council on Linkages Core Competencies

  • 1B4 – Uses methods and instruments for collecting valid and reliable quantitative and qualitative data
  • 1B6 – Examines the integrity and comparability of data
  • 1B9 – Interprets quantitative and qualitative data
  • 1B12 – Uses data to address scientific, political, ethical, and social health issues
  • 1C4 – Critiques methods and instruments for collecting valid and reliable quantitative and qualitative data
  • 1C6 – Evaluates the integrity and comparability of data
  • 1C9 – Integrates the findings from quantitative and qualitative data into organizational operations
  • 1C10 – Determines community specific trends from quantitative and qualitative data

Prerequisites

Through prior training or experience, trainees are expected to have a basic (though not necessarily extensive) background and knowledge of the following topics:

  • The design, conduct, and goals of quantitative research in public health (for example, designing or conducting epidemiological survey research)

  • Traditional statistical analysis techniques for the analysis of quantitative data

  • The design, conduct, and goals of qualitative research in public health (for example, designing or conducting focus groups or in-depth interviews)

  • Traditional techniques for the analysis of qualitative data (for example, qualitative content analysis through coding of textual data)

For those without this background knowledge, it is recommended that you complete the following trainings before beginning this course:

Continuing education credit

1 Category I CECH in health education. This activity is sponsored by the New York City-Long Island-Lower Tri-County Public Health Training Center, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for the CHES to receive 1 Category I CECH in health education.

1 CPH credit. The New York City-Long Island-Lower Tri-County Public Health Training Center is a NBPHE pre-approved provider of CPH continuing education credits.  1 CPH CE will be awarded for participation in this activity.

Estimated time to complete

45 minutes

Is NYNJ: