This Week Submit Draft Of An Abbreviated Mixed Methods Resea

This Week Submit Draft Of An Abbreviated Mixed Methods Research Plant

This Week: Submit Draft of an Abbreviated Mixed Methods Research Plan To prepare for this Application, first focus on the following instructions: Review Chapter 10 in the course text, Research Design, the "Trustworthiness" and "Threats to Internal Validity" handouts, and the "Mixed Methods: Examples" media segment. Review the article "On Becoming a Pragmatic Researcher: The Importance of Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methodologies." Consult Table 10.1 (p. 205) in the course text, Research Design, to guide you in polishing your abbreviated mixed methods research plan. Next, ask yourself the following questions: What are your research questions? To what extent can you test them? How would you justify the viability of your questions? What are your hypotheses? How would you test them? Why would this design be the most appropriate for answering the research questions? Conversely, why would quantitative or qualitative on their own not be appropriate? For a mixed methods design, which design is the primary one? Why is that appropriate? What approach would you select for this study (experimental, survey, ethnography, grounded theory, etc.)? Why is that approach the most appropriate one for answering the research questions? What theoretical framework or perspective would you use? What is your target population? How would you identify and recruit participants? What factors would contribute to determining appropriate sample size? You will not need to calculate sample size for this assignment. If appropriate for your plan, what instruments might you need? What data collection procedures might you use? Why would those be the most appropriate methods to use? How would that data help to answer your research question(s)/hypotheses? How would you ensure quality and reliability of data? What are threats to validity? How might you mitigate them? How might you analyze the data? What are the ethical considerations related to the plan? The assignment: Craft a 2- to 3-page paper in which you do the following: Provide an introduction. Provide a purpose statement. Provide viable research questions/hypotheses. Generate a written research plan that addresses the above questions.

Paper For Above instruction

The integration of quantitative and qualitative research methods, commonly known as mixed methods research, has gained prominence for its capacity to provide comprehensive insights into complex research questions. Crafting an effective mixed methods research plan involves a nuanced understanding of research design, methodological appropriateness, ethical considerations, and strategies to ensure validity and reliability. This paper presents an abbreviated mixed methods research plan aimed at exploring the impact of online learning on undergraduate students’ academic performance and engagement.

Introduction

In the wake of the rapid expansion of online education due to technological advancements and the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding its effects on student outcomes is imperative. This study aims to investigate how online learning influences undergraduate students’ academic achievement and engagement levels, thereby informing educators and policymakers on effective online instructional strategies.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this mixed methods study is to examine the relationship between online learning modalities and undergraduate students’ academic performance and engagement, utilizing both quantitative assessments and qualitative insights to develop a comprehensive understanding of the phenomena.

Research Questions and Hypotheses

The study is guided by the following research questions:

  1. What is the effect of online learning on undergraduate students’ academic performance?
  2. How does online learning influence student engagement?

Hypotheses include:

  1. Online learning significantly affects academic performance, with variations based on instructional design and student demographics.
  2. Student engagement levels vary depending on the online learning environment and instructional strategies employed.

Research Design and Approach

The primary design for this study is a convergent mixed methods approach, allowing simultaneous collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data to facilitate comprehensive understanding (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018). A survey will serve as the quantitative instrument to measure academic performance metrics and engagement levels across a representative sample of students. Concurrently, semi-structured interviews will gather in-depth insights into students’ experiences and perceptions related to online learning. This approach is appropriate because it captures both measurable outcomes and subjective experiences, which are essential for understanding complex educational phenomena (Onwuegbuzie & Johnson, 2006).

Population, Sampling, and Recruitment

The target population includes undergraduate students enrolled in online courses at a large public university. Participants will be recruited through email invitations and announcements posted within course management systems. Purposive sampling will ensure that students from diverse academic disciplines, year levels, and demographic backgrounds are included to enhance the generalizability of findings. Sample size will be determined based on power analysis for statistical testing, aiming for at least 150 survey respondents and 15 interview participants to ensure data richness and validity (Fowler, 2014).

Data Collection Procedures and Instruments

Quantitative data will be collected via standardized surveys including Likert-scale questions measuring engagement and academic performance indicators such as GPA and course grades. Qualitative data will be gathered through semi-structured interviews facilitated via video conferencing. These methods will enable triangulation of data, enhancing validity. To ensure data quality, pilot testing of instruments will be conducted, and interviewer training will be provided to minimize bias. Ensuring confidentiality and obtaining informed consent will address ethical considerations.

Data Analysis and Validity

Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses to identify relationships between online learning variables and performance outcomes. Qualitative data will undergo thematic analysis to identify recurring themes related to student engagement and perceptions. Integration of findings will follow a convergent design, comparing and contrasting quantitative and qualitative results for comprehensive interpretation (Creswell, 2014). Threats to validity include selection bias, response bias, and measurement errors, which will be mitigated through careful sampling, validated instruments, and multiple data collection methods.

Ethical Considerations

All procedures will adhere to ethical standards by obtaining approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Participants will be informed of their rights, assured of confidentiality, and will provide informed consent prior to participation. Data will be securely stored and only accessible to the research team. Ethical considerations also include respecting participant autonomy and minimizing potential harm.

Conclusion

This abbreviated mixed methods research plan provides a structured approach to investigating how online learning impacts undergraduate students’ academic achievement and engagement. By integrating quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, the study aims to generate rich, valid, and actionable insights that can inform educational practices and policies in digital learning environments.

References

  • Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research. Sage Publications.
  • Fowler, F. J. (2014). Survey Research Methods (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
  • Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Johnson, R. B. (2006). The Validity and Reliability of Mixing Techniques in Quantitative and Qualitative Research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(1), 41-66.
  • Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (4th ed.). Sage.
  • Johnson, R. B., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Mixed Methods Research: A Research Paradigm Whose Time Has Come. Educational Researcher, 33(7), 14-26.
  • Plano Clark, V. L., & Ivankova, N. V. (2015). Mixed Methods Research: A Guide to the Field. Sage Publications.
  • Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods (4th ed.). Sage.
  • Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Leech, N. L., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2009). A Nation of Multimethodologists. The Qualitative Report, 14(2), 265-271.
  • Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (2010). Mixed Methods Research: Contemporary Issues in an Emerging Paradigm. Handbook of Mixed Methods in Social & Behavioral Research, 1-19.

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