Research Methods and Methodologies in Education
Extended Reading
The following list of journal articles and books provide extended reading on topics covered in chapter 19 in the second edition. Please note that journal articles are free to access, whereas book extracts (denoted by methods.sagepub.com URLs) require your university to have a subscription to SAGE Research Methods.
Johnson, R. B., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Turner, L. A. (2007). Toward a definition of mixed methods research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(2), 112-133.
This paper develops a definition of mixed methods research through a discussion of the views of many authors who have played an important role in the developing the idea of mixed methods research. The paper is useful because it provides insights into the diversity of ideas about mixed methods research. What is disappointing is the author’s suggestion that mixed methods research should be seen as a third paradigm in social research, thus endorsing rather unhelpful paradigm-thinking in research.
Greene, J. C. (2008). Is mixed methods social inquiry a distinctive methodology? Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 2(1), 7-22.
This paper provides a very useful discussion of the question whether mixed methods research can be seen as a distinctive methodology for social inquiry. What is particularly valuable is the systematic discussion of four methodological domains: philosophy, methodology, practical guidelines and socio-political commitments.
Johnson, R. B., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Mixed methods research: A research paradigm whose time has come. Educational Research, 33(7), 14-26.
This is an interesting paper not in the least for historical reasons, as it is an early attempt to argue the case for a mixed approach. It’s depiction of pragmatism is not entirely accurate, although it reflects the state of the discussion on the role of pragmatism in the earlier phase of the development of mixed methods approaches. (For a more up to date discussion on pragmatism and mixed methods research see Biesta, G.J.J. (2010). Pragmatism and the philosophical foundations of mixed methods research. In A. Tashakkori & C. Teddlie (Eds), SAGE handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioral research. Second edition (pp. 95-118). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.)