What Does Ontological Position Influence Mixed Methods Research?

To begin with it should be taken into consideration the circumstances in which humanity found itself in when these sort philosophical musings of ontology became so prevalent among the society of thinkers and intellectuals. With the turbulence and constant change of the late 19th and 20th century it only makes sense that people would begin to wonder what it all really means. With wars, genocide, and poverty contrasted against the unprecedented industrial and technological advances of the time not to mention the exponential growth in some populations, it became easier and easier to lose one 's identity as the world begins to

Many sociologists argue that theoretical issues are the most important factors to affect choice of method. Theoretical issues refer to what we think society is like and if we can obtain an accurate and truthful picture of it. There are four different concerns regarding theoretical issues which influence sociologist’s choice of research methods. Validity is a method that gives a true or genuine picture of what something is really like, which helps the researcher easily find out the truth. Sociologists argue that the use of qualitative methods such as Participant Observation gives a more valid, truthful account as it

Researchers are sometimes using Quantitative and Qualitative research methodologies interchangeably, or all three of the methodologies including the mixed approach, Creswell (2009). However, the most distinctive differences between the two is the application used, or the design, using words for qualitative analysis, and

After the Ontology, we should think about Epistemology which is the theory of getting the knowledge. There are different views of epistemology. For example, if we do not have a single reality then we should interpret the reality; in this regard the epistemology is interpreted.

The results of article two used the mixed methods of quantitative and qualitative data. “Mixed methods research is an approach to inquiry that combines or associates both qualitative and quantitative forms. It involves philosophical assumptions, the use of qualitative and quantitative approaches, and the mixing of both approaches in a study. Thus, it is more than simply collecting and analyzing both kinds of data; it also involves the use of both approaches in tandem so that the overall strength of a study is great than either qualitative or quantitative research.” (Creswell, 2007). The authors used their research to answer their research question;

For nearly a thousand years, the ontological argument has captured the attention of philosophers. The ontological argument was revolutionary in its sequence from thought to reality. It was an argument that did not require any corresponding experiment in reality; it functioned without the necessity of empirical data. Despite flaws and problems found in some ontological arguments and the objections raised to those arguments, ontological arguments still provide a phenomenal vehicle for ontological discussion through St. Anselm’s original ideas and argument, objections raised, and revisions of previous arguments. The ontological argument still intrigues philosophers despite potential objections and flaws

Maxwell (2005) also notes that qualitative research can be used to address various issues and is not restricted to one ontological stance. The method also involves developing a relationship with the people one is studying, an aspect that is important in defining the authenticity of the data and determining the course of action.

The use of mixed methods is currently increasing in social science research since it emphasizes methodological pluralism, and provides a broader and more credible understanding of the research problem than the use of a single method (Tashakkori and Teddlie 2010). However, mixing methods for no good reason other than the sake of it can produce disjointed and unfocussed research, and can severely test the capabilities of researchers. I raise some cautionary issues in this paper by critiquing the methodology in the journal article titled “Researching men: the politics and possibilities of a qualitative mixed-methods approach” published by Meth and McClymont (2011).

The epistemology and ontology together guide the researcher towards the type of research they will conduct, and in turn determine the type of methodology and methods of the research (Carter & Little, 2007).

The Ontological argument is an a priori deductive argument. That is, an argument relating to being, that is independent of prior knowledge of the subject and with a conclusion you must accept IF one accepts the preceding premises. St. Anselm of Canterbury presents the Ontological

Researchers employ a number of research methodologies to carry out, test, analyze and describe phenomena they are interested in studying. Among the most widely used methodologies are quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method (Cozby & Bates, 2012, Garza & Landrum, 2015; Leedy & Ormrod, 2013; Creswell, 2013; Gergen, 2015). Qualitative and quantitative research designs, for example, are types of research approaches that provide clear directions on how to carry out a research plan (Creswell, 2013). The quantitative research design is profoundly deep-rooted in the discipline of psychology where it has been used through the perspective of post-positivist thoughts (Creswell, 2013). On the other hand, the qualitative research design is deeply- rooted in the field of Anthropology, where researchers have developed several naturalistic observational techniques to explain lived phenomena (Bates & Cosby, 2012; Creswell, 2013; Garza & Landrum, 2015). Quantitative and qualitative research designs share several similarities as well as differences in how they can be employed in conducting research procedures (Yilmaz, 2013).

Ontology is the science of being; therefore ontological security is the security of being, the maintenance of identity and the self. This would cause anxiety and result in the withdrawal from certain experiences or activities to maintain the ontology.

Mixed methods researchers advance the weight or priority to the collection of quantitative and qualitative data. Three options are available to the researcher for prioritizing data:

Quantitative research is considered to be the use of numbers. In the use of a quantitative study, the researcher test objective theories by examining the conjunction among variables. The variables used can be measured on instruments, so that numbered data can be used and analyzed (Creswell, 2008). Qualitative research is mainly used to explore and understand human or social problems. The process of qualitative studies includes questions and procedures; and the data is collected byway of participant’s settings. It allows the researcher to study an issue in great detail and depth, as well as not allowing data collection to be constrained by predetermined data. Mixed methods research combines quantitative and qualitative methods and it involves philosophical assumptions. This form of study includes collecting and analyzing data from a quantitative and qualitative perspective. It is believed that mixed methods research is a great method for practicing researchers who would like to bridge the schism between quantitative and qualitative research (Onwuegbuzie & Leech, 2004a). Even though these methods are different, they all involve philosophical assumptions and distinct methods or procedures (Cresswell, 2009).

There are two types of research methods: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative research methods are complex meaningful analyses characterized by processes and meanings that are not measured in terms of mathematical measurements. Quantitative research however, relies and builds on mathematical procedures and methods, such as frequency, quality, amount and statistical procedure. There are unique characteristics which distinguish one research process from the other.