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dissertation in pdf-format - Aalto-yliopisto

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3 Research methodology<br />

concluded that the problems of representation and <strong>in</strong>tegration <strong>in</strong> mixed<br />

methods research imply the need to identify specific legitimation issues that<br />

are not associated with mono-method research designs but could be used <strong>in</strong><br />

comb<strong>in</strong>ed quantitative and qualitative <strong>in</strong>vestigations. They also identified<br />

the follow<strong>in</strong>g n<strong>in</strong>e legitimation types:<br />

1. Sample <strong>in</strong>tegration<br />

2. Inside-outside<br />

3. Weakness m<strong>in</strong>imization<br />

4. Sequential<br />

5. Conversion<br />

6. Paradigmatic mix<strong>in</strong>g<br />

7. Commensurability<br />

8. Multiple validities<br />

9. Political<br />

Sample <strong>in</strong>tegration shows the relationship between quantitative and<br />

qualitative sampl<strong>in</strong>g designs that yield possible quality meta-<strong>in</strong>ferences.<br />

The <strong>in</strong>side-outside type refers to accurate presentation and appropriate<br />

utilization of <strong>in</strong>siders’ and observers’ views of the purposes (description and<br />

explanation) of the research. Weakness m<strong>in</strong>imization refers to the<br />

compensation of weaknesses of one approach by the strengths of the other<br />

approaches. Sequential legitimation is based on the extent to which one has<br />

m<strong>in</strong>imized the potential problem of meta-<strong>in</strong>ferences be<strong>in</strong>g affected by<br />

revers<strong>in</strong>g the sequence of the quantitative and qualitative phases.<br />

Conversion is related to the extent to which the quantitiz<strong>in</strong>g or qualititiz<strong>in</strong>g<br />

yields quality meta-<strong>in</strong>ferences. Paradigmatic mix<strong>in</strong>g is based on the<br />

researcher’s epistemological, ontological, axiological, methodological and<br />

rhetorical beliefs underly<strong>in</strong>g the quantitative and qualitative approaches<br />

that are successfully comb<strong>in</strong>ed or blended <strong>in</strong>to a usable package.<br />

Commensurability is based on the meta-<strong>in</strong>ferences made to reflect a mixed<br />

worldview based on the cognitive process of switch<strong>in</strong>g and <strong>in</strong>tegration.<br />

Multiple validities address the legitimation of the quantitative and<br />

qualitative components of the results from the use of quantitative,<br />

qualitative and mixed validity types, yield<strong>in</strong>g high quality meta-<strong>in</strong>ferences.<br />

Political <strong>in</strong> this context refers to the consumers of mixed methods research<br />

who value the meta-<strong>in</strong>terferences stemm<strong>in</strong>g from both the quantitative and<br />

qualitative components of the study.<br />

Validity and quality criteria are exam<strong>in</strong>ed here, and <strong>in</strong> the underly<strong>in</strong>g<br />

studies, follow<strong>in</strong>g the recommendation by Teddlie and Tashakkori (2003)<br />

that <strong>in</strong>terference quality should be used as the mixed research term for<br />

46

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