Mixed Methods Research - How to write it up | Keep quantitative and qualitative findings separate?

Mixed methods research can be challenging to write it up. The question of whether to keep the quantitative and qualitative findings separate or integrate them causes a lot of anxiety in graduate and PhD students!

In this video, I walk you through the process of deciding whether to keep your different types of data separate from one another, or write them up together.

We’ll explore the factors that should inform this decision – notably your own research aims and the standard practices and conventions within your discipline.

Once you’ve decided whether to keep your mixed methods findings together or separate them, you’ll be wondering exactly how to structure your findings chapter. Which kind of data should you tackle first if you’re writing up separately? How do you avoid getting into a mess if you’re writing up qualitative and quantitative together?

I’ll guide and advise you on these questions, by sharing some examples of integrated and separated findings chapters.

I will also share questions you should be asking yourself as you write up your mixed methods findings, and share some tips on how to stay focused when you’re writing up two different types of data. It is super easy to become incredibly confused, but there are some simple ways you can zoom out go back to basics and revisit your overall aims and objectives.

Chapters
0:00 – 1:14 Introduction and overview
1:15 - 7:15 How to decide whether to write up together or separately
7:16 - 9:58 Tips for writing up separately
9:59 - 13:12 Tips for writing up together
13:13 - 13:45 Summary and conclusion

// Other videos in this Findings Series //
Part 3 - Presenting quantitative data

// Other helpful videos //
How to write up your methods chapter

// Need more help with your Findings chapter? //

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[rosaramosleitao]

Thank you for the great video! I was wondering, if I want to write down my quanti/quali data separately and this is my structure:
4.1 Study selection/number of studies screened assessed/included
4.2 Study characteristics
4.3 Methodological quality and/or risk of bias
4.4 Results of individual studies
4.5 Synthesis of results/meta-analysis

Where in these subheadings can I best start making a distinction in the data? It is more convenient to summarize the data together for the subheading "study selection" using the PRISMA flow chart. After this it becomes clear how many articles were included in the review and how many of them are qualitative and quantitative (Ultimately, X articles were included, consisting of X quantitative studies and X qualitative studies. These studies will be analyzed separately?)..

In terms of methodological appraisal, it can also be put together in a table.. Maybe it is a good moment to start writing it separately from 4.4 to 4.5, or already at 4.3? And how can I do this in the least chaotic manner (:

[Virtous_quotes]

Great video and very informative. How do you present the results of mixed method study in PowerPoint presentation for a thesis seminar... please share your guidance with examples. Thank you in advance.

[MT-gyei]

Thank you this is very helpful. I finished writing my findings seperatly and now i am a bet challenged how can I write the discussion specially most of the quantitative results contradicting the qualitative one. I did first qualitative then quantitative study. .Please advice!

[pojokpenelitianpendidikany]

I am doing a mixed method research for my study, this is really helpful. Thank you

[vanessadcosta]

Very helpful thank you! I am just wondering if this is referring to the discussion section? In terms of the data analysis should they still be kept separate?

[andrenorton]

An excellent presentation on presenting the findings of mixed-methods research.