No(.

i)
How can researchers effectively apply mixed-methods research designs to answer complex research
questions.

Research designs Refer to the master plan of specifying methods and procedures for collection and
analyzing that needed information.

The following are the ways how researchers effectively apply mixed methods research designs to answer
complex questions

A researcher requires many data gathering tools and several techniques such as the t tests That are the
tools of measurement and it guides the researcher in data collection as well as evaluation these tools
therefore vary in complexity design interpretation as well as administration in addition each tool is
suitable for the collection of a certain type of data or information.

The use Of questionnaires, Questionnaires typically Include open questions And closed questions these
allow researchers collect data that is qualitative and quantitative depending on their needs these help
bring greater structure to any research which can help maximize their success of whatever is trying to be
investigated and answer questions.
Interviews, Interviews are great research tool and they allow a researcher to gather rich information and
draw more detailed conclusions than other research methods these take into consideration of non
verbal clues and emotional responses.
Schedules , These are tools used in collection of data from respondents while interview is conducted this
contains questions statements on which opinions are inflicted and blank spaces for filling up the
respondents this schedule is presented by the interviewer and the questions are asked and answered are
noted down by him.
Use of Observation Techniques , In this researchers observe participants phenomena in their most
natural settings this therefore enables them to see their subjects make choices and react to situations in
their natural setting as opposed to structure settings like research labs or focus groups.
Use of Rating Scales , These refer to close the end survey question that is used to evaluate how survey
responder feel about a particular product in this respondents are typically asked to choose a range of
options which has scaled between two extremes directing skills are popular for their ability to allow
quantitative measures to be applied to more obstruct subjective sentiments and satisfactions.
These are combined and integrated qualitative and quantitative research methods in a single research
study.
These involve collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to understand a phenomenon
better and answer the research questions.
Mixed research method design can be carried out my following the following steps
Take into consideration and determine whether mixed methods research
designs is appropriate for answering questions .
Mixed methods research design maybe chosen as the right choice if your
research progress suggest that qualitative and quantitative data alone will
not sufficiently answer your research question this is because of their
generalizability since qualitative research usually has smaller sample size
and this is not generalizable.
Determine your purpose.
This can be done by determining the purpose you as a researcher want to
achieve by using mixed method research design that is to say whether to
use that results from one data type to collaborate expand develop or
complement the other
Selection of the most appropriate design
Selection of the most appropriate design of the three types of mixed methods research designs.
 Convergent design This can be used when you need both qualitative and quantitative
data,therefore have limited time to collect the data, and must gather the required data in
one visit.
 Explanatory design This is appropriate Incase the research problem is quantitatively
oriented and the variables and instruments required for the research are available.
 Exploratory design This type of design is the best when the variables are unknown
and the instruments needed are not available. This also the best mixed methods research
approach to use if there is no guiding theory for the study.

Collection of both Quantitative and qualitative data

This can be done by the use of methods such as parellel data gathering We
are closed ended questionnaire too many service users is done at the same
time as are semi structured observations of the service center
Analyze the collected data.
Analyze the collected data. You can use the Delve qualitative data analysis tool to quickly and
rigorously analyze your qualitative data. You can then export the data into spreadsheets to
analyzed it along with your quantitative data.
Write the research report
Validate and interpret the data and write your research report. Writing a Good research report
includes the title introduction literature review methodology which includes materials and
methods results discussion and conclusion.

1(ii)
What are the advantages and limitations of using multiple research methods within the same
study
The Following are the advantages of using multiple research methods within the same study
The great advantage of using mixed methods research is that a researcher gets the best of both
qualitative and quantitative research methods this approach therefore allows the use the strength
of one data type to mitigate the weakness of the other.
 Mixed qualitative and quantitative research methods are less tied to established research
paradigms this therefore makes them eligible and so they are flexible to use.
 Mixed methods research allows a research to go wide a broad range of research
questions and this is due to the fact that he /she is not limited to a research method.
Mixed methods research allows and helps researchers get stronger evidence to
collaborate their findings this therefore boosts their confidence in their work since they
have proof to rely on
Mixed methods research gives researchers a complete understanding of the topic or
phenomenon under study this is because different tools are used under this such as interviews
, questionnaires and many others giving a total overview understanding .

The following are the limitations of using multiple research methods within the same study
Mixed methods research requires collecting and analyzing two types of data, so it is labor-
intensive which therefore makes the whole process costly and unmanageable in addition the
method is quite time-consuming .
Results from mixed methods research can be difficult to interpret if you get different results
from the two data types.
Mixed methods research requires you to understand multiple methods and how to combine
them appropriately.with this kind of burden the use of the method may require labor which
makes it cost effective .
Multiple methods research can be more complex to carry out This is because mixing of
qualitative and quantitative research methods in the same phases of a single study to
comprehensively address a research question by collective quantitative and qualitative
data concurrently requires a lot of effort to use.
The method may require more expertise to collect and analyse data, and to interpret
the results, than using one method which can easily be analyzed and carried out without
strain and extra effort plus knowledge.

1(iii)
Additionally ,what are the ethical implications of conducting mixed methods research
and how can researchers ensure that their findings are rigorous and meaningful?

The following are the ethical implications of conducting mixed methods research .
Voluntary participation . In this a researchers participants are free to opt in or out of the
study at any point and at any time they feel like.
Informed consent . In this participants are aware of the purpose the benefits risk and
funding behind that study before they agreed to join or decline
Confidentiality In this you as a researcher is aware of the participants but you keep the
information hidden from everyone else you as a researcher anonymized personality
identifiable data so that it can’t be linked two other data by anyone else.
Anonymity. You as a researcher don’t know the identities of the participants personally
identifiable data is not collected
Potential for harm in this physical psychological social and all other types of harm our
kept to an absolute minimum.
Results communication . You as a researcher ensure your work is free research
misconduct and your accuracy presentable

The following are the ways how researchers can find out that there work is rigorous and
meaningful
Self-Transcendent
Researchers with an intention to experience their work as meaningful when it mattered to
others more than just to themselves , Researchers did not just talk about themselves when they
talked about meaningful work; they instead talked about the impact or relevance their work had
for other individuals, groups, or the wider environment

Poignant
Researchers often found their work to be full of meaning at moments associated with mixed or
even painful thoughts and feelings, not just a sense of unalloyed joy and happiness. People often
cried in our interviews when they talked about the times when they foundtheir work meaningful.

3. Episodic
A sense of meaningfulness arose in an episodic In this events are there are four considered to be
at a distinct point of time this makes the work look more organized and chronological thus
factful

Reflective
In the instances cited above, it was often only when we asked the interviewees to recount a time
when they found their work meaningful that they developed a conscious awareness of the
significance of these experiences. Meaningfulness was rarely experienced in the moment, but
rather in retrospect and on reflection when people were able to see their completed work and
make connections between their achievements and a wider sense of life meaning.

Personal
Other feelings about work, such as engagement or satisfaction, tend to be just that: feelings about
work. Work that is meaningful, on the other hand, is often understood by people not just in the
context of their work but also in the wider context of their personal life experiences.