Integrating Qualitative Methods into Quantitative Research

Catalog description

Focuses on effective ways to integrate qualitative methods into quantitative approaches to research in human development and family studies. The purpose of this course is to cover how best to combine quantitative and qualitative methods in human development and family studies research. This course begins with the assumption that students have an existing research question to test through quantitative approaches that involve the formulation of research hypotheses before data collection. The course then explores how qualitative data approaches can further enhance their study. This course emphasizes the integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches through 1) designing qualitative projects to test hypotheses, 2) the importance of sampling, and 3) coverage of R for analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data. The course begins with an overview of mixed methods research. The course then addresses qualitative research and the development of qualitative research projects, before describing how to combine quantitative and qualitative data. The course will address best practices for sampling in mixed methods research. The course then will cover specific issues in qualitative research such as ethnographic data, intensive interviewing, and focus groups. The remainder of the course will cover specific issues in mixed methods designs, such as research designs, divergent findings, life history calendars, and statistical programs for mixed methods data.