The following module focuses on the use of software in analyzing mixed methods data and offers information on software packages for consideration.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the value of utilizing software packages for mixed methods data analysis
• List possible software packages and discuss their benefits

The data analysis process for mixed methods research can be complicated given that researchers are analyzing data from both qualitative and quantitative methods and integrating that data to produce meaningful results. Software packages do exist to assist researchers with mixed methods analysis. The Research Ready programs for qualitative and quantitative research contain modules that specifically address the use of software for data analyses with those methods. This module will focus on software packages that have the capability to assist researchers in analyzing data from both methods and integrating those results.

Quantitative data analysis can be done with many types of statistical software packages and given its numeric, statistical nature, is more straightforward than the analyzing qualitative data. Therefore, mixed methods software packages emphasize their ability to assist with qualitative analysis. These software packages include tools that may be used to assist in coding qualitative data or used to analyze interview or focus group transcripts, legal documents, journal articles, speeches, drawings, photographs, paintings, and other types of qualitative data. The software will also be capable of statistical analysis or will offer integration with statistical packages. Once the data from both methods has been coded, analyzed or evaluated, the software then assists with the integration of the data. In this way, the software facilitates the exploration of the data from multiple perspectives. This provides the researcher with a comprehensive view of the data and a more complete picture of the results from the study.

Dedoose is one commonly used mixed methods software package. The following YouTube video, Introduction to Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research Using Dedoose, provides a rationale for the use of this type of software in mixed methods data analysis and demonstrates examples of its use.

Links to Software Websites – There are many software packages to choose from and it will require some investigation to choose the package that is right for an individual researcher. Following are links to the webpages for software commonly used in mixed methods research.

• MAXQDA
• Dedoose
• NVivo
• QDA Miner

Suggested Readings

Bazeley, P. (2003). Computerized data analysis for mixed methods research. Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioral research, 385-422.

Bergman, M. M. (Ed.). (2008). Advances in mixed methods research: Theories and applications. Sage.

Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage Publications, Incorporated.

Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. L. P. (2007). Designing and conducting mixed methods research.

Creswell, J. W., Plano Clark, V. L., Gutmann, M. L., & Hanson, W. E. (2003). Advanced mixed methods research designs. Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioral research, 209-240.

Johnson, R. B., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Mixed methods research: A research paradigm whose time has come. Educational researcher, 33(7), 14-26.

Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Teddlie, C. (2003). A framework for analyzing data in mixed methods research. Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioral research, 351-383.

Sandelowski, M. (2000). Focus on research methods combining qualitative and quantitative sampling, data collection, and analysis techniques. Research in nursing & health, 23, 246-255.