Speaking about methods, researchers typically do not see specific questions or hypotheses especially tailored to mixed methods research. However, there is an ongoing discussion about the use of mixed methods questions in studies, and also about the design of a mixed methods study (Creswell et al., 2007; Tashakkori & Creswell, 2007).
A strong mixed methods study should start with a mixed methods research question so as to shape the methods, and the overall design of a study. As a mixed methods study relies on neither quantitative or qualitative research alone, some combination of the two provides the best information for the research questions and hypotheses. To be considered are what types of questions should be presented, as well as when, and what information is the most needed to convey the nature of the study:
- both qualitative and quantitative research questions (or hypotheses) need to be asked in a mixed methods study in order to narrow and focus the purpose statement. These questions or hypotheses can be asked at the beginning or when they emerge during a later phase of the research. For example, if the study begins with a quantitative phase, the investigator might introduce hypotheses. Later in the study, when the qualitative phase is addressed, the qualitative research questions would appear.
- some attention should be given to the order of the research questions and hypotheses. In a two-phase project, the first-phase questions would come first, followed by the second-phase questions so that readers can see them in the order in which they will be addressed in the proposed study. In a single-phase strategy of inquiry, the questions might be ordered according to the method that is attached the greatest importance in the design.
- a mixed methods research question that directly addresses the mixing of the quantitative and qualitative strands of the research should be included. This is the question that will be answered in the study based on the mixing (Creswell & Clark, 2007). This is a new form of questions in research methods, and Tashakkori and Creswell (2007) call it a ’hybrid’ or ’integrated’ question. This question could either be written at the beginning or when it emerges (for instance, in a two-phase study, in which one phase builds on the other, the mixed methods question might be placed in the discussion between the two phases). It can assume one of the two forms. The first one is to write it in a way that conveys the methods or procedures used in the study (e.g. Does the qualitative data help to explain the results from the initial quantitative phase of the study? (Creswell & Clark, 2007). The second form is to write it in a way that conveys the content of the study (e.g. Does the theme of social support help to explain why some students become bullies in schools? (Tashakkori & Creswell, 2007).
There are several different ways in which all types of research questions (i.e. quantitative, qualitative and mixed) can be written in a mixed methods study:
- write separate quantitative questions or hypotheses and qualitative questions. These could be written at the beginning of a study or when they appear if the study unfolds in stages or phases. With this approach, the emphasis is placed on the two approaches, and not on the mixed methods or integrative component of the study.
- write separate quantitative questions or hypotheses and qualitative questions and follow them with a mixed methods question. This highlights the importance of both the qualitative and quantitative phases of the study, as well as their combined strength and this is probably the ideal approach.
- write only a mixed methods question that reflects the procedures or the content (or write the mixed methods question in both the procedural and content-based approach), and do not include separate quantitative and qualitative questions. This approach would enhance the viewpoint that the study intends to lead to some integration or connection between the quantitative and qualitative phases of the study (i.e. the sum of both parts is greater than that of each single part).
