Concurrent Embedded Design

Both qualitative and quantitative data are collected simultaneously, but this approach has a primary method that guides the project, and a secondary database that provides a supporting role in the procedures. Given less priority, the secondary method (qualitative or quantitative) is embedded or nested within the predominant method (qualitative or quantitative). The mixing of the data from the two methods is often done to integrate the information and compare one data source with the other, typically accomplished in the discussion section of a study. However, the data also may not be compared but reside side by side as two different pictures that provide an overall composite assessment of the problem. This would be the case when the researcher uses this approach to assess different research questions or different levels in an organization.