Research design: qualitative, quantitative, & mixed methods approaches - Essay Example

RESEARCH DESIGN: Qualitative, Quantitative, & Mixed Methods Approaches 2nd ed. By Creswell, J.W. (2003) Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, California ISBN 0-7619-2442-6; PB 245 pp The book, Research Design, provides beginners from various academic disciplines a practical and handy resource book on research. It teaches students and professionals alike on how to conduct basic research using the three methodological research approaches- qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. Cresswell, the author, introduces these approaches by providing their comparative highlights and salient points.

As a practical research guide, Research Design offers “a template for preparing research protocol, a proposal for theses/dissertations and for writing a scholarly research journal articles” (Giddings 2008). In the first section, Cresswell suggests adopting a framework for research design and in the book he focuses on three approaches-qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. The first research approach (qualitative), according to the author is the oldest approach while the second and third approaches are still relatively new and in the process of being developed.

It is also in this section that Creswell mentions the framework elements-knowledge claims, strategies of inquiry and methods (Cresswell 2003, p. 3). Cresswell also lists the significant developments in research such as the emergence of mixed method (as a research approach) and new philosophical assumptions (critical perspectives, advocacy/participatory and pragmatic ideas), the growing trend of research practice as “less than quantitative vs qualitative but more how research practices lie somewhere on a continuum between the two”(2003, p. 4). The succeeding chapters explores the framework of research design advocated by Cresswell by guiding would be researchers on the step by step process of customizing research.

In these chapters, Cresswell also discusses the merits and validity of mixed methods research approach and the proper way of conducting it. Suggested Topics on Research Design Methods: A.) The purpose of the study is to examine the future of mixed research as an alternative research paradigm to qualitative and quantitative methods. It aims to explore and prove the validity and merits of mixed methods research approach. B.) The purpose of the study is to study positivism as supporting philosophy for mixed methods research approach.