THE MULTIPHASE DESIGN

MIXED METHODS
GROUP SIX(6) MEMBERS

ALISAH MAGAYA R205111T

MARIAN NDONGWE R207384H
PANASHE CHIKUKWA R202614M
NYEVEROYASHE ZINGWE R205903K
INTRODUCTION

 The multi-phase design in mixed methods research refers to a specific approach that
involves multiple phases or stages of data collection and analysis. It is a comprehensive
and systematic process that combines both qualitative and quantitative methods to
provide a more holistic understanding of a research problem or question.
 In the context of mixed methods research, a multi-phase design typically consists of
three main phases: the exploratory phase, the explanatory phase, and the integration
phase. Each phase serves a distinct purpose and contributes to the overall research
process.
 1. Exploratory Phase:
 The exploratory phase focuses on gathering qualitative data to explore and understand
the research problem in depth. This phase often involves conducting interviews,
observations, or focus groups to collect rich and detailed information from
participants. The data collected in this phase helps researchers identify key themes,
patterns, or relationships that can inform the subsequent quantitative phase.
CONT’D

 2. Explanatory Phase:
 The explanatory phase involves collecting quantitative data to test hypotheses
or validate findings from the exploratory phase. This phase typically employs
surveys, experiments, or other quantitative methods to collect data from a
larger sample size. The quantitative data collected in this phase provides
statistical evidence and allows for generalizations to be made about the
population under study.
 3. Integration Phase:
 The integration phase is where researchers bring together the qualitative and
quantitative data collected in the previous phases to create a comprehensive
analysis of the research problem. This phase involves merging, comparing, and
contrasting the findings from both types of data to gain a deeper
understanding of the phenomenon being studied. Researchers may use various
techniques such as triangulation, complementarity, or expansion to integrate
the two types of data effectively.
PURPOSE OF THE MULTIPHASE DESIGN

 1. Complementarity: By using multiple phases, researchers can gather

different types of data that complement each other. Qualitative data can
provide rich descriptions, context, and insights into participants' experiences,
while quantitative data can provide statistical patterns, trends, and
generalizability. The combination of both types of data can lead to a more robust
understanding of the research problem.
 2. Triangulation: Multi-phase designs enable triangulation, which involves
comparing and contrasting findings form different phases or methods.
Triangulation helps validate the results by corroborating evidence across
different sources or perspectives. It enhances the credibility and trustworthiness
of the study findings.
 3. Exploration and confirmation: Multi-phase designs allow for an exploratory
phase followed by a confirmatory phase. In the exploratory phase, qualitative
methods can be used to generate hypotheses or theories based on in-depth
exploration of the research problem. These hypotheses can then be tested in the
confirmatory phase using quantitative methods. This iterative process
strengthens the overall study design and increases confidence in the findings.
CONT’D
 4. Sequential or concurrent integration: Multi-phase designs can be
implemented in a sequential or concurrent manner. In sequential designs, one
phase is conducted before the other, with the findings from the first phase
informing the design and data collection of the subsequent phase. This sequential
integration allows for a more in-depth exploration of the research problem. In
concurrent designs, qualitative and quantitative data are collected and analyzed
simultaneously, allowing for immediate integration and comparison of findings.
 5. Practicality: Multi-phase designs offer practical advantages in terms of
resources and time. Researchers can strategically allocate resources based on the
specific needs of each phase. For example, qualitative data collection may
require more time and effort compared to quantitative data collection. By
dividing the study into phases, researchers can optimize resource allocation while
maintaining methodological rigor.
 6. Enhanced validity and reliability: By integrating multiple phases and
methods, multi-phase designs enhance the validity and reliability of the study
findings. The combination of qualitative and quantitative data provides a more
comprehensive understanding of the research problem, reducing potential biases
or limitations associated with using a single method.
WHEN TO CHOOSE THE MULTIPHASE
DESIGN
1. Exploratory Sequential Design:
In cases where the research question is exploratory and little is known about the
phenomenon under investigation, an exploratory sequential design can be
employed. This design starts with qualitative data collection and analysis,
followed by quantitative data collection and analysis. The initial qualitative phase
helps to generate hypotheses or develop a theoretical framework, which are then
tested using quantitative methods in the subsequent phase.
For example, if researchers want to understand the experiences of cancer
survivors and then examine the relationship between their experiences and
quality of life, they may first conduct interviews with cancer survivors (qualitative
phase) to explore their experiences. Based on the findings, they can then develop
a survey questionnaire (quantitative phase) to measure different aspects of
quality of life and test the relationships identified in the qualitative phase
CONT’D
2. Explanatory Sequential Design:
 When researchers have an existing theory or hypothesis that they want to
test, an explanatory sequential design can be used. In this design,
quantitative data collection and analysis are conducted first, followed by
qualitative data collection and analysis. The aim is to explain or provide
insights into the quantitative findings.
 For instance, if researchers want to investigate the effectiveness of a new
teaching method on student performance, they may first collect quantitative
data by administering tests to students in different classrooms (quantitative
phase). Based on the results, they can then conduct interviews or focus
groups with students and teachers to gain a deeper understanding of the
factors that influenced the outcomes observed in the quantitative phase.
CONT’D
3. Embedded Design:
 In some cases, researchers may use multi-phase design with an embedded
approach, where qualitative and quantitative data are collected concurrently
but analyzed separately. This design allows for a more comprehensive
exploration of the research question by integrating both types of data.
 For example, in a study examining the impact of a community health
intervention on health outcomes, researchers may collect quantitative data
through surveys to measure changes in health indicators (e.g., blood pressure,
BMI) among participants. At the same time, they may also conduct interviews
or observations to understand participants' experiences and perceptions of
the intervention. The quantitative and qualitative data can be analyzed
separately and then integrated to provide a more holistic understanding of
the intervention's effects.
PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS BEHIND
THE MULTIPHASE DESIGN
 The philosophical assumption behind multiphase design in mixed methods are
rooted in pragmatism and constructivism. This design is named after its
developer,Dr Tina Malti,who proposed it as a way to address the limitations of
traditional sequential or parallel mixed methods designs.
 a) Pragmatism is a philosophical perspective that emphasizes the practical
consequences of ideas and actions, it suggests that the choice of research
methods should be driven by the research question and the goals of the study.
 b) Constructivism, on the other hand, is a philosophical stance that
emphasizes the active construction of knowledge by individuals based on their
experiences and interpretations.
 The specific philosophical assumptions underlying multi-phase design in mixed
methods research can vary depending on the researcher's perspective and
purpose of the study. However, there are some common assumptions that are
often associated with this design:
CONT’D
 1. Complementarity: The assumption of complementarity suggests that
quantitative and qualitative data can provide complementary insights into a
research problem. By combining both types of data, researchers can gain a
more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon under investigation.
Quantitative data can provide statistical generalizability and identify patterns,
while qualitative data can provide rich descriptions and in-depth understanding
of individual experiences.
 2. Developmental: The multi-phase design assumes a developmental
perspective, where each phase builds upon the previous one. The findings from
earlier phases inform the design and implementation of subsequent phases,
allowing for a more refined and focused exploration of the research topic. This
iterative process helps to ensure that the research design is responsive to
emerging insights and allows for adjustments based on preliminary findings.
 3. Triangulation: Triangulation is an important assumption in multi-phase
design, which involves comparing and contrasting different sources or types of
data to enhance the validity and reliability of the findings. By using multiple
methods, researchers can cross-validate their results, reducing the potential for
bias or error associated with any single method.
CONT’D
 4. Integration: Multi-phase design assumes that the integration of
quantitative and qualitative data occurs at various stages throughout the
research process. Integration can involve merging datasets, comparing
findings, or using one type of data to inform the interpretation of another.
The goal is to generate a coherent and comprehensive understanding of the
research problem by combining different types of evidence.
 5. Practical utility: Multi-phase design in mixed methods research emphasizes
the practical utility of research findings. It aims to produce knowledge that is
not only theoretically meaningful but also applicable in real-world contexts.
By combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, researchers can
generate insights that have both theoretical significance and practical
implications for decision-making or intervention development.
THE MULTIPHASE DESIGN PROCEDURES

 The multiphase design allows for each individual study to address a specific
set of research questions that evolve to address a larger program objective.
 These procedures within a given study phase often mirror the procedures for
implementing one or more of the basic mixed methods designs.
 In addition, researchers utilizing a multiphase design also have to carefully
state the research questions for each phase, which both contribute to the
overall program of inquiry and build upon what has been learnt in previous
phases and design procedures that build on the earlier findings and results.
 The general procedures indicative of a multiphase design are depicted in the
table below.
THE MULTIPHASE DESIGN PROCEDURES
STRENGTHS OF THE MULTIPHASE DESIGN

 Comprehensiveness: by integrating qualitative and quantitative data, the

multiphase design allows researchers to obtain a comprehensive understanding of
the research problem. It provides a more holistic view by capturing both the
breadth and depth of the phenomenon under investigation.
 Triangulation: The multiphase design enables researchers to employ
triangulation, which involves using multiple sources, methods or perspectives to
validate findings. By combining different types of data, researchers can enhance
the validity and rehabilitee of their results.
 In-depth exploration:Qualitataive data collected in the initial phase of the study
can provide rich, detailed insights into the research topic. This depth of
understanding can help inform the development of subsequent quantitative
measures or survey instruments, ensuring that they capture relevant constructs.
CONT’D

 Contextualization:Qualitataive data obtained in the initial phase can provide

a context for interpreting quantitative results. By exploring the experiences,
perceptions and meanings associated with the phenomenon, researchers can
better understand the quantitative findings within their specific contexts.
WEAKNESSES OF THE MULTIPHASE
DESIGN
 Time and resources: Conducting multiphase research can be time consuming
and resource-intensive. It requires conducting separate qualitative and
quantitative data collection and analysis processes which can increase the
overall duration and cost of the study.
 Complex design: The multiphase design demands careful planning and
execution.Reseachers need to make decisions regarding the
sequencing,timing,and integration of qualitative and quantitative
components. This complexity requires expertise in both qualitative and
quantitative research methods
 Integration challenges: Integrating qualitative and quantitative data can be
challenging, particularly when it comes to combining findings from different
phases. Researchers must carefully manage the process of integrating data to
ensure coherence and compatibility.
CONT’D

 Limited generalizability: While multiphase research provides rich insights,

the findings may have limited generalizability. The qualitative phase often
involves a smaller sample size, making it difficult to generalize the results to
broader populations.However,the subsequent quantitative phase can help
overcome this limitation to some extent.
REFERENCES

Creswell, J. W., Plano Clark, V. L., Gutmann, M., & Hanson, W. (2003). Advanced
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mixed
methods in social & behavioral research (pp. 209–240). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Greene, J. C. (2007). Mixed methods in social inquiry. San Francisco: Jossey-
Bass.
Mertens, D. M. (2003). Mixed methods and the politics of human research: The
transformative-
emancipatory perspective. In A. Tashakkori & C. Teddlie (Eds.),
Handbook of mixed methods in social & behavioral research (pp. 135–164).
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