The research topic has been an investigation into the contribution or the effectiveness of crisis management to the well-being of differently sized companies. This study can be conducted in a quantitative or quantitative manner. Moreover, the study can be conducted using the mixed methods (where principles of quantitative and qualitative methods) are applied in equal measure. Creswell (2003) states that a mixed method study can respond to both open and close ended questions. Moreover, it presents multiple forms of data drawing on the statistical and text analysis. It is imperative to consider a couple of existing mixed methods studies or articles and their insight into the use of mixed methods in research.
Bryman, A. (2006) Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative research: How is it done? Qualitative Research. Sage Publications (London, Thousand Oaks, CA and New Delhi) Vol. 6 (1) 97-113.
The article targets to examine the ways in which quantitative and qualitative research are combined and integrated with practice. The article draws from 232 social science articles in which the two methods were combined. The article found out that structured interviews and questionnaire-based research in a cross-sectional design tended to predominate the quantitative side. On the qualitative side, semi-structured interview within a cross-sectional design tends to predominate. The study reveals that qualitative research is suitable for open-ended research. It often produces changes in direction and new insights. Quantitative research, on the other hand, is suited for close-ended research. It involves imaginative application of techniques thereby resulting in new understanding. The use of mixed methods multiplies the potential for surprising but beneficial outcomes and insights.
Balarabe K. (2012). Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches to the Study of poverty: Taming the tensions and appreciating the complementarities. The Qualitative Report. 2012. Vol 17, Article 34, 1-19.
The study demonstrates that the study of poverty is both a study of numbers and contextualities. The article states that social science researchers require mixed method studies since one method results in “false dichotomy” that creates tensions and drawbacks. Just like poverty, the study of crisis management is also study of numbers (how many people can make up an effective crisis management team, how frequently should the team make assessments, how much resources does the team need). These and other questions can be answered using a quantitative study. The context, of the impacts of crisis management on business, is a wide area that calls for a qualitative study. As such Balarabe (2012) points to the fact the if social science researches such as the one on crisis management is conducted using mixed methods, the methods will be complementary and respond to numbers as well as contextualities.
Some questions that can be discussed in regard to the use of mixed methods are;-
- What is the significance of researchers carrying out two independent researches (one quantitative and the other qualitative) as opposed to one single mixed methods research?
- In case respondents provide quantitative data when queried about qualitative aspects and vice versa, how should researchers iron out the discrepancies resulting from such incidences?
References
Creswell, J. W. (2007). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach (Laureate Education, Inc., custom Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Balarabe K. (2012). Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches to the Study of poverty: Taming the tensions and appreciating the complementarities. The Qualitative Report. 2012. Vol 17, Article 34, 1-19.
Bryman, A. (2006) Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative research: How is it done? Qualitative Research. Sage Publications (London, Thousand Oaks, CA and New Delhi) Vol 6(1) 97-113.
