“ Mixed Methods in Program Evaluation” Presented by Tom Chapel

1. “Mixed Methods in Program Evaluation”Presented by Tom Chapel Thomas J. Chapel, MA, MBA Tchapel@cdc.gov Chief Evaluation Officer 404-639-2116 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2. Agenda • 1. The why and how of mixed methods: • Rationale • Options • Challenges • Criteria for making choices • 2. Apply points to some simple examples

3. CDC’s Evaluation Framework • The Standards apply especially when we’re trying to make data collection choices. STEPS Engage stakeholders Ensure use and share lessons learned Describe the program Standards Utility Feasibility Propriety Accuracy Focus the evaluation design Justify conclusions Gather credible evidence

4. CDC’s Evaluation Standards • The Standards provide a quick and easy way to identify the 2 or 3 best data collection choices for this evaluation. Standards Utility Feasibility Propriety Accuracy

5. CDC’s Evaluation Framework • Not “Collect data” • Not “Analyze data” • Rather… • “Gather credible evidence” STEPS Engage stakeholders Ensure use and share lessons learned Describe the program Standards Utility Feasibility Propriety Accuracy Focus the evaluation design Justify conclusions Gather credible evidence

6. Steps 1-3 Help You Focus Design And Data Collection Choices After the first 3 steps of the Evaluation Framework, we know which evidence will work for these stakeholders in this situation. Randomized control trials? Qualitative data? Quantitative data? Performancemeasures?

7. CDC’s Evaluation Standards • The Evaluation Standards help us narrow down our data collection choices to the handful of methods that will work for this evaluation at this time. Standards Utility Feasibility Propriety Accuracy

8. Mixed Methods Data collection methods that will work for this evaluation at this time sometimes means surveys or focus groups. But sometimes there is no one best way. The best choice would be a combination of methods or “mixed methods”.

9. Six (Most) Common Ways to Collect Data

10. How Standards Inform the Choice of Methods Consider the context : • How soon do I need the results? • What resources can I use? • Are there any ethical issues to consider? Standards Utility Feasibility Propriety Accuracy Standards Utility Feasibility Propriety Accuracy

11. How Standards Inform the Choice of Methods Also consider the content : • Sensitivity of the issue Standards Utility Feasibility Propriety Accuracy Standards Utility Feasibility Propriety Accuracy

12. How Standards Inform the Choice of Methods Also consider the content : • “The Hawthorne Effect” Will the act of being observed cause someone to distort their response? Standards Utility Feasibility Propriety Accuracy Standards Utility Feasibility Propriety Accuracy

13. How Standards Inform the Choice of Methods Also consider the content : • Validity • Reliability Standards Utility Feasibility Propriety Accuracy Standards Utility Feasibility Propriety Accuracy

14. Mixed Methods Address Concerns • Key Concept: • Regardless of the method, when there are validity and reliability concerns, often using more than one method-- i.e., mixed methods--will help.

15. Mixed Methods: Definition • “The combination of at least one qualitative • and at least one quantitative componentin a single research project or program.” • (Bergman 2008)

16. Use Complementary Methods • Mixed methods is: • A combination of methods that has complementary strengths and non-overlapping weaknesses. • The purpose is to supplement orcomplement • the validity and reliability of the information.

17. Strengths of Quantitative Methods • Strengths of quantitative methods: • Require less time than qualitative methods • Cost less • Permit researcher control • Quantitative data is considered to be “scientific” • Easier to explain validity and reliability • Easily amenable to statistical analyses

18. Strengths of Qualitative Methods • Choose qualitative methods when you are trying to: • Explore or describe a phenomenon

19. Strengths of Qualitative Methods • Choose qualitative methods when you are trying to: • Look for induction (i.e., “surprise”)

20. Strengths of Qualitative Methods • Choose qualitative methods when you are trying to: • Identify patterns

21. Strengths of Qualitative Methods Qualitative data can help you understand not just “what” but “WHY”.

22. When to Use Mixed Methods • 1. Corroboration • better understanding; more credibility • “triangulation” – measuring the same thing from several different viewpoints • 2. Clarification • trying to understand why we got this result

23. When to Use Mixed Methods • Mixed Methods are most commonly used for: • 3. Explanation – similar to clarification • want to know the “why” or “what” behind the situation • 4. Exploration – similar to explanation • charting new territory • trying to observe patterns • examine different situations and varying results to induce patterns

24. Number of Project Facets Reported via Each Data Collection Method • Source: Gregory Guest, PhD

25. Number of Project Facets Reported via Each Data Collection Method • This is an example of • using a qualitative • method (site visits) to corroborate a quantitative method (surveys). • The result was increased validity of the data. • Source: Gregory Guest, PhD

26. Which to Choose? • How do you choose which methods to use? • Which method comes first, the quantitative or the qualitative? • You have a lot of flexibility • in these decisions.

27. Parallel or ConcurrentMixed Methods • For “parallel” or “concurrent” mixed methods, • quantitative and qualitative data collection happen at the same time. QUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE

28. SequentialMixed Methods • For “sequential” mixed methods, either quantitative or qualitative data collection can happen first. QUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE OR QUALITATIVE QUANTITATIVE

29. Example of Sequential Mixed Methods to Corroborate Data • In this case, the qualitative method (site visits) was used to corroborate the quantitative (survey) method and the results were different. QUALITATIVE QUANTITATIVE

30. Mixed Methods Is Your Choice • You are never required to use mixed methods. • However, you may choose to use mixed methods when: • you have some indication that a single method may give you incorrect data. • a single method may give you an incorrect perception of reality.

31. Mixing Methods During Data Analysis • Qualitative data (focus • groups, observations, • secondary data, etc.) • can be converted to • “numbers” via • quantitative techniques • like content analysis. • This is also a mixed method design approach.

32. Mixing Methods During Data Analysis • Qualitative data can be very complex. • Examining qualitative data with quantitative techniques helps to identify or validate patterns or themes.

33. Deciding When To UseMixed Methods and How • Key Concept: • Using mixed methods is a deliberate design decision. You use it when you don’t trust the data from any single method. • The reason for your uncertainty determines • the methods you choose to mix and the order in which you use them.

34. Example 1 Concurrent Design

35. Example 2 Explanatory Sequential Design

36. Example 3 Exploratory Sequential Design

38. Design Options Summary • You mix quantitative and qualitative methods in a different order depending on the presenting problem: • Validate results

39. Design Options Summary • You mix quantitative and qualitative methods in a different order depending on the presenting problem: • Validate results • Explain the unexpected

40. Design Options Summary • You mix quantitative and qualitative methods in a different order depending on the presenting problem: • Validate results • Explain the unexpected • Explore new themes

41. Selected Resources(Page 1 of 2) • Caracelli, V. and J. Greene (eds.). 1997. Advances in Mixed-Method Evaluation: The Challenges and Benefits of Integrating Diverse Paradigms. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. • Creswell, J. and V. Plano Clark. 2010. Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research, 2nd edition. Thousand Oaks, CA. Sage Publications. • Morse, J. and L. Niehaus. 2009. Mixed Method Design: Principles and Procedures. Walnut Creek, CA. Left Coast Press.

42. Selected Resources(Page 2 of 2) • Johnson, R. Burke, and L. Christensen. Evaluation Methods. 2008. www.southalabama.edu/coe/bset/johnson/ • Plano Clark, V. and J. Creswell. 2008. The Mixed Methods Reader. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. • Teddlie, C. and Tashakkori, A. 2009. Foundations of Mixed Methods Research: Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA. Sage Publications.

43. Recommended Resource • Creswell, J. and V. Plano Clark. 2010. Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research, 2nd edition. Thousand Oaks, CA. Sage Publications.

44. The Community Tool Box • Community Tool Box http://ctb.ku.edu • Chapter 37, Section 5. Collecting and Analyzing Data

45. End “Mixed Methods” • Return to Webinar 4: Gathering Data, Developing Conclusions, and Putting Your Findings to Use • Return to Evaluation Webinars home page