Mixed Methods in Educational Large-Scale Studies: Integrating Qualitative Perspectives into Secondary Data Analysis

This article highlights the integration of qualitative perspectives into the traditionally quantitative domain of large-scale studies and explores how mixed methods can overcome the limitations of predefined datasets. Different purposes for integrating qualitative perspectives before, during, and af...

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Main Author: Jana Costa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/14/12/1347
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author Jana Costa
author_facet Jana Costa
author_sort Jana Costa
collection DOAJ
description This article highlights the integration of qualitative perspectives into the traditionally quantitative domain of large-scale studies and explores how mixed methods can overcome the limitations of predefined datasets. Different purposes for integrating qualitative perspectives before, during, and after LSAs are presented. Two examples are used to illustrate the potential and challenges of re-analyzing existing data from a qualitative perspective. Therefore, this article argues that the integration of qualitative perspectives can provide new empirical insights, allowing researchers to explore new patterns, address research gaps, and reframe theoretical foundations. In this way, mixed methods can enhance the scope of LSA data analysis, making it more adaptable to complex educational research questions and enriching the overall research process.
format Article
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spelling doaj-art-0b05d11baa7844de95f57fd14a10fab12024-12-27T14:22:35ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022024-12-011412134710.3390/educsci14121347Mixed Methods in Educational Large-Scale Studies: Integrating Qualitative Perspectives into Secondary Data AnalysisJana Costa0Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi), Otto-Friedrich-University Bamberg, Wilhelmsplatz 3, D-96047 Bamberg, GermanyThis article highlights the integration of qualitative perspectives into the traditionally quantitative domain of large-scale studies and explores how mixed methods can overcome the limitations of predefined datasets. Different purposes for integrating qualitative perspectives before, during, and after LSAs are presented. Two examples are used to illustrate the potential and challenges of re-analyzing existing data from a qualitative perspective. Therefore, this article argues that the integration of qualitative perspectives can provide new empirical insights, allowing researchers to explore new patterns, address research gaps, and reframe theoretical foundations. In this way, mixed methods can enhance the scope of LSA data analysis, making it more adaptable to complex educational research questions and enriching the overall research process.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/14/12/1347mixed methodssecondary datalarge-scale assessmentintegration
spellingShingle Jana Costa
Mixed Methods in Educational Large-Scale Studies: Integrating Qualitative Perspectives into Secondary Data Analysis
Education Sciences
mixed methods
secondary data
large-scale assessment
integration
title Mixed Methods in Educational Large-Scale Studies: Integrating Qualitative Perspectives into Secondary Data Analysis
title_full Mixed Methods in Educational Large-Scale Studies: Integrating Qualitative Perspectives into Secondary Data Analysis
title_fullStr Mixed Methods in Educational Large-Scale Studies: Integrating Qualitative Perspectives into Secondary Data Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Mixed Methods in Educational Large-Scale Studies: Integrating Qualitative Perspectives into Secondary Data Analysis
title_short Mixed Methods in Educational Large-Scale Studies: Integrating Qualitative Perspectives into Secondary Data Analysis
title_sort mixed methods in educational large scale studies integrating qualitative perspectives into secondary data analysis
topic mixed methods
secondary data
large-scale assessment
integration
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/14/12/1347
work_keys_str_mv AT janacosta mixedmethodsineducationallargescalestudiesintegratingqualitativeperspectivesintosecondarydataanalysis