Evaluating Mixed Research Studies: A Mixed Methods Approach

Using the VF, three studies from education, health care, and counseling fields are evaluated and pragmatic researchers can use this tool to increase the quality of their evaluations of mixed research studies.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate application of a new framework, the validation framework (VF), to assist researchers in evaluating mixed research studies. Based on an earlier work by Dellinger and Leech, a description of the VF is delineated. Using the VF, three studies from education, health care, and counseling fields are evaluated. The three mixed research studies differed in design and implementation. Elements of the VF were examined and evaluated for each study, and a picture of the quality of each study was captured textually. In presenting the VF and its potential for practical application in evaluating mixed research studies, pragmatic researchers can use this tool to increase the quality of their evaluations of mixed research studies.