Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches

The third edition of this volume on research methodology compares qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches to inquiry. This comparison begins with preliminary consideration of knowledge claims for all three approaches, a review of the literature, and reflections about the importance of writing and ethics in scholarly inquiry. The book also addresses the key elements of the process of research: writing an introduction; stating a purpose for the study; identifying research questions and hypotheses; using theory; defining, delimiting, and stating the significance of the study; and advancing methods and procedures for data collection and analysis. The book contains the updated developments in qualitative inquiry, including advocacy, participatory, and emancipatory approaches.

The author supports the validity of a mixed-methods approach to research. He uses language such as 'framework', 'approaches', and 'knowledge claims' more frequently than language such as 'paradigm', 'ontology', 'epistemology', and 'axiology', with the goal of making research design more accessible to those beginning their projects. Creswell presents the ethical issues that may arise in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies and offers writing tips for research planning of a full research study or a proposal for a scholarly journal article, dissertation, or thesis.

Key updates to the third edition include:

• "Presents the preliminary steps of using philosophical assumptions in the beginning of the book
• Provides an expanded discussion on ethical issues
• Emphasizes new Web-based technologies for literature searches
• Offers updated information about mixed methods research procedures
• Contains a glossary of terms
• Highlights "research tips" throughout the chapters incorporating the author’s experiences over the last 35 years"

The Instructor’s Resource CD-ROM contains the following:

• "Sample Syllabi
• PowerPoint Slide Sets
• Sample Student Proposals
• Suggested Studies Published in Journal Articles
• Application Activities and Tutorial
• Peer-Feedback Group Activities
• Study Design Group Activities
• End-of-Chapter Checklists"

The Student Study Site offers the following:

• "Sample Student Proposals
• Application Activities and Tutorials
• Peer-Feedback Group Activities
• Study Design Group Activities
• End-of-Chapter Checklists"

In conclusion, the book is a reference on the basics of research design as well as a text for research courses, serving social and human scientists in such fields as marketing, management, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, education, health sciences, urban studies, and family research.