Critical Evaluation
Introduction
Jose Molina and Roslyn Cameron wrote the article the application of mixed methods in organizational research: a literature review. The article is available at www.ejbrm.com for research purposes. The article was published in 2010 following a critical evaluation of the available literature in relation to the subject of study. The authors clearly define and illustrate the topic of the article through adoption and incorporation of uncomplicated topic for the research article. The authors note in the thesis statement that mixed methods research has the ability to play critical and significant role in the encouragement of the application of diverse methods in the organizational fields and bridging of the macro and micro domains. The key words in the research article are clearly defined for easier understanding by the reader. The texts are organized in a systematic manner. This is evident in the presentation of the crucial aspects of methods research, methodology, characteristics of the articles, and relevant suggestions in relation to the application of the mixed research methods in the context of management and future research practices.
Summary
The main purpose of the paper is to offer critical evaluation or review of the application of mixed methods research in relation to the aspects of organizational management and research practices. This is through critical review of the leading journals focusing on the strategic management journal and journal of organizational behavior (Molina & Cameron 2010, p. 96). The article also examines the organizational research methods to offer critical information relevant to the application of mixed research methods within the management and research practices of the various business entities. The article also provides relevant characteristics of the mixed research methods or studies through examination of the purposes and designs. This is essential for increasing the awareness of the management and organizational researchers on the concept of growing application and acceptance of the mixed research methods. The other purpose of the article is to offer valuable suggestions focusing on quality and effective application of the mixed research methodologies in the management and organizational research practices (Molina & Cameron 2010, p. 96).
The author defines the aspect of mixed methods research as the accurate integration of the qualitative and quantitative collection and analysis of data within a single study. This is in accordance with the definition of Rocco et al (2003), p. 22 relating to the incorporation of qualitative and quantitative research methods for the collection and analysis of data within the content of the study. The article also outlines various influences of the constructivist and positivist views in relation to the application mixed methods of research in quantitative and qualitative methods (Molina & Cameron 2010, p. 98). This contributes towards the determination of the application of the mixed methods in research exercise. The authors note that it is possible for organizations to adopt and implement qualitative and quantitative research methods in the management and organizational research practices (Gill & Johnson 2010, p. 163). The article notes three critical barriers in the execution of mixed methods researches. These barriers include extensive time and resources, application of broader skills in the context of qualitative and quantitative research practices, and publication of collections and analysis of information from the mixed methods research. The article also evaluates factors determining the application of mixed methods research. These factors include implementation of the data collection and the concept of priority. The review offers nine steps in the execution of the mixed methods research and seven critical stages in the selection of most appropriate designs for the achievement of the goals of the exercise. The structure of the article is in accordance with the universal format thus the inclusion of abstract, introduction, methodology, discussion/analysis, and conclusion focusing on recommendations.
Literature review
Jose Molina and Roslyn Cameron are researchers in the context of human resource management and development. This is an indication that article is authoritative and informed through implementation of the research expertise and information of the authors of the research article. The authors used relevant methods in the collection and analysis of information in relation to the application of the mixed methods research in management and organizational research practices. This is through a critical review of the mixed methods research in the context of organizational research methods, strategic management journal, and journal of organizational behavior. The authors also outline the publication timeline for valuable information and research articles in the generation of this research article.
The sources used by the authors in this research article are accurate and up-to-date. This is because of the relevancy to the topic of study, reflection of similar ideas to the discussions by some of researchers, and adequate acknowledgement of the sources of information and evidence (Creswell 2009, p. 138). This is essential in the enhancement of reliability, validity, and authority of the research article in relation to the topic or research question. The development of the evidence and interpretation of the information lead the reader to the same conclusion. This is through critical analysis of the concepts in relation to mixed methods research and evaluation of the findings of the study. This led to the development of a logical argument in the expression of ideas and concepts with reference to the aspects of mixed methods research. In the development of the logical argument, the author presents challenges, benefits, factors, application, and recommendations in relation to the concept of mixed methods research (Plowright 2011, p. 49). Minimal evidence would support the counter-argument focusing on the presentations of the article. This is because the article offers both ends argument thus enabling the reader to make the critical choice regarding the implementation of mixed methods research.
The article and evidence are up-to-date and valid. This relates to the years of publications of the articles and the evidence applicable in the literature review or methodology, in the collection and analysis of data. This enables the authors of the article to reach a valid and reliable conclusion in relation to the aspect of mixed methods research. The authors of the research article were successful in attempts to make their points focusing on the mixed methods research. This is through the development of appropriate conclusion on the topic of interest.
Conclusion
I agree with the author on the growing need for the incorporation and integration of the concept of mixed methods research in the aspects of management and organizational research practices (Mertens 2010, p. 64). This is because of the diverse research needs within the organizations thus effective and efficient application of the qualitative and quantitative research methods. I also agree with the arguments of the authors in relation to challenges, in the implementation of the concepts of qualitative and quantitative research methods. This is because of the time requirement, skills, and aspects of publication of the data from mixed methods research (Cope & Elwood 2009, p. 66).
References
Cope, M., & Elwood, S. 2009. Qualitative GIS a mixed methods approach. Los Angeles [Calif.], SAGE. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10504462.
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Los Angeles, Sage.
John Gill & Phil Johnson, 2010. “Research Methods for Managers”. 4th edition. Thousand Oaks, California, SAGE.
Mertens, D. M. 2010. Research and evaluation in education and psychology: integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Los Angeles, Sage.
Molina Azorín,J, M and Cameron, R. 2010, “The Application of Mixed Methods in Organizational Research: A Literature Review” The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods Volume 8 Issue 2 (pp.95-105)
Plowright, D. 2011. Using mixed methods: frameworks for an integrated methodology. Los Angeles, SAGE.
Rocco et al, 2003. “Taking the next step: Mixed Methods Research in Organizational Systems”. Information Technology, Learning, and Performance Journal, Vol. 21, No.1.
