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Aligning theory and methodology in mixed methods research: Before Design Theoretical Placement

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 15:49 authored by Alavi, M, Archibald, M, McMaster, R, Lopez, V, Cleary, M
When a theoretical framework (and its components) is not clearly linked to research methods, researchers risk designing flawed studies, wherein the stated research question is inconsistent with the research design. Explicitly identifying one’s theoretical orientation can provide an orderly schematic for linking observations from separate investigations (i.e. qualitative, quantitative) thereby facilitating understandings and guiding research designs particularly in fields of social and health sciences where complex phenomena are an aspect of the subject of inquiry. Although this has been established, how researchers might position their research theoretically to guide mixed methods research is less clear. In this paper, we propose the Before Design Theoretical Placement as a general guide for specifying and locating studies in a broader theoretical grounding, and discuss how it may inform overall study considerations. We then use this approach to illustrate how theories and methods can work together to facilitate professional knowledge development from a relational perspective.

History

Publication title

International Journal of Social Research Methodology

Volume

21

Issue

5

Pagination

527-540

ISSN

1364-5579

Department/School

School of Nursing

Publisher

Routledge

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

© 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Mental health

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