Developing a Mixed Methods Proposal

Jessica T. DeCuir-Gunby, PhD is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology and University Scholar in the Department of Teacher Education and Learning Sciences at NC State University. She serves as a faculty mentor with the multidisciplinary and inter-institutional Center for Developmental Science at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She is also an associate editor for the American Educational Research Journal. DeCuir-Gunby’s research interests include race and racial identity development, critical race theory, mixed methods research, and emotions in education. She recently served as Co-PI on two National Science Foundation funded grants, totaling over $4.3 million: Nurturing Mathematics Dreamkeepers (DRK-12 Grant) and Peer Mentoring Summits for Women Engineering Faculty of Color (ADVANCE Leadership Award Grant). Both grants used mixed methods approaches, were multidisciplinary, and explored important issues in diversity and STEM. Her work has been featured in top-tier journals such as Educational Psychologist, Educational Researcher, and Review of Educational Research, among others. Paul A. Schutz, PhD is currently a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. His research interests include the nature of emotion, the influence of emotional experiences on teachers’ identity development, research methods and issues related to race and social justice. He has several publications related to the use of mixed methods and has taught a variety of different research methods course, including qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research courses. He is a past president for Division 15: Educational Psychology of the American Psychological Association and a former co-editor of the Educational Researcher: Research News and Comment, a lead journal for the American Educational Research Association.

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• Chapter 1. Why a Guide for Developing Mixed Methods Proposals?What is Mixed Methods research?What are the Advantages of Mixed Methods Research?What should you consider when engaging in mixed methods research?What does a Mixed Methods Research Proposal Look Like?Practice SessionChapter 2. The Role of Theory in Mixed Methods ResearchWhat role does theory play in a mixed methods research proposal?Practice SessionChapter 3. Asking Appropriate Research QuestionsThe Role of Research QuestionsTypes of Research QuestionsCreating Your Own Research QuestionsPractice SessionChapter 4. The Mixed Methods Proposal IntroductionPurpose of the Mixed Methods Proposal IntroductionComponents of the Mixed Methods Proposal IntroductionPractice SessionChapter 5. The Literature Review: Situating Your Mixed Methods Study in the Larger ContextThe Role of the Literature ReviewPreparing and Organizing Your Research LiteratureThe Components of the Literature ReviewWriting the Literature ReviewConclusionPractice SessionChapter 6. Mixed Methods Designs: Frameworks for Organizing Your Research MethodsLearning the Language of Mixed Methods DesignsUnderstanding Mixed Methods DesignsChoosing a Mixed Methods DesignVisually Representing your Mixed Methods DesignConclusionPractice SessionChapter 7. The Heart of the Mixed Methods Research Plan: Discussing Your Methods SectionThe Role of the Research Methods SectionThe Components of the Mixed Methods Research SectionConclusionPractice SessionChapter 8. A Little Lagniappe…A Little Something ExtraThe Supporting Sections of the Mixed Methods ProposalWriting and Talking About Your Mixed Methods ProposalIssues Beyond Writing the Mixed Methods Research ProposalConclusionPractice SessionChapter 9. An Example of a Real-World Mixed Methods Research: The Racial Microaggressions Study ProposalExplanatory Mixed Methods Example