Triangulation in a Quasi-Experimental Mixed Methods Study: Convergence, Divergence, and Complementarity of Results (Published)
Mixed methods research is empirically known to bring about converging, diverging, and/or complementary results and this remains a methodological illumination to embrace and a challenge to overcome. The existing literature deals with the review of relevant research results in mixed methods studies with limited testing whether and how results, different or similar, originate from the integrated data analysis and how additional non-quantitized or non-qualitized data are used. After matching phase-one with phase-two respondents, we merged quantitized essay and interview data (qualitative methods strand) with survey questionnaire data (quantitative methods strand), performed mixed and non-mixed data analyses to statistically compare and enrich results from both methods strands. The aim of this article is to move beyond the mixing of methods and data and triangulate results. We statistically test, empirically analyse, and offer guidance on the practical dimensions to consider while mixing qualitative and quantitative methods.
Keywords: Convergence, Divergence, Mixed Methods Research, Triangulation, complementarity, data integration