Attitudes toward mixed methods research in psychology: the best of both worlds?

In psychology, there has been a growing interest in mixed methods approaches, however, only a minority of published research explicitly use this methodology. This study aimed to explore the full range of attitudes toward mixed methods research in psychology held by students and academics, using the model of attitudes by Eagly and Chaiken as a framework. Fourteen psychology students and seven academics (48% male and 52% female with ages ranging from 19- to 64-years old) were interviewed about their attitudes toward mixed methods research. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings indicate that while participants were generally open to the methodology, misunderstandings were common, most felt they lacked the skills and experience necessary to conduct this research and many were sceptical of mixed methods researchers’ motivations and practices. Identifying attitudes toward mixed methods research has the potential to dispel myths, promote attitudinal change, and increase both the use and teaching of this approach in psychology

ConXsense - Automated Context Classification for Context-Aware Access Control

We present ConXsense, the first framework for context-aware access control on mobile devices based on context classification. Previous context-aware access control systems often require users to laboriously specify detailed policies or they rely on pre-defined policies not adequately reflecting the true preferences of users. We present the design and implementation of a context-aware framework that uses a probabilistic approach to overcome these deficiencies. The framework utilizes context sensing and machine learning to automatically classify contexts according to their security and privacy-related properties. We apply the framework to two important smartphone-related use cases: protection against device misuse using a dynamic device lock and protection against sensory malware. We ground our analysis on a sociological survey examining the perceptions and concerns of users related to contextual smartphone security and analyze the effectiveness of our approach with real-world context data. We also demonstrate the integration of our framework with the FlaskDroid architecture for fine-grained access control enforcement on the Android platform.Comment: Recipient of the Best Paper Awar

Mixed Methods Use in Project Management Research

Mixed methods research is increasingly being used in business and management disciplines, in spite of positivist traditions. The aim of the study is twofold: (1) to examine the types of mixed methods approaches being used, and (2) to determine the quality of the reporting of mixed methods studies published in the field of project management. A retrospective content analysis of articles from three ranked project management journals was undertaken for a sample period of 2004 to 2010. Our findings suggest the field of project management is in need of capacity building in relation to the good reporting of mixed methods studies

A framework for mixing methods in quantitative measurement development, validation, and revision: A case study

A framework for quantitative measurement development, validation, and revision that incorporates both qualitative and quantitative methods is introduced. It extends and adapts Adcock and Collier’s work, and thus, facilitates understanding of quantitative measurement development, validation, and revision as an integrated and cyclical set of procedures best achieved through mixed methods research. It also offers a systematic guide concerning how these procedures may be undertaken through detailing key “stages,” “levels,” and practical “tasks.” A case study illustrates how qualitative and quantitative methods may be mixed through the use of the proposed framework in the cross-cultural content- and construct-related validation and subsequent revision of a quantitative measure.The contribution of this article to mixed methods research literature is briefly discussed

Use of mixed methods designs in substance research: a methodological necessity in Nigeria

The utility of mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) is becoming increasingly accepted in health sciences, but substance studies are yet to substantially benefit from such utilities. While there is a growing number of mixed methods alcohol articles concerning developed countries, developing nations are yet to embrace this method. In the Nigerian context, the importance of mixed methods research is yet to be acknowledged. This article therefore, draws on alcohol studies to argue that mixed methods designs will better equip scholars to understand, explore, describe and explain why alcohol consumption and its related problems are increasing in Nigeria. It argues that as motives for consuming alcohol in contemporary Nigeria are multiple, complex and evolving, mixed method approaches that provide multiple pathways for proffering solutions to problems should be embraced

Formación docente para la implementación de la plataforma virtual Moodle como recurso didáctico en educación básica secundaria

1 recurso en línea (288 páginas) : ilustraciones color, tablas.Este estudio describe una experiencia llevada a cabo en entornos virtuales de aprendizaje Moodle, donde se planteó la utilización de la Educación Virtual como recurso didáctico educativo. A partir de un proceso de formación docente para la implementación de la plataforma virtual Moodle como recurso didáctico de enseñanza, se analizó si se presentaron cambios significativos en las competencias digitales: Pedagógica, tecnológica, comunicativa y de gestión, y a partir de ello se mejoró el desempeño pedagógico de los educadores; de igual forma se indago sobre la posibilidad de que las plataformas virtuales como Moodle puedan convertirse en una alternativa viable que pueda dar respuesta a los nuevos retos educativos relacionados con los ambientes virtuales de aprendizaje para dinamizar el proceso educativo. Como objetivo general del estudio se planteó Identificar las competencias digitales que poseen los docentes para el uso y administración de la plataforma Moodle, en el nivel de educación básica secundaria y media de la Institución Educativa Técnica de Monguí, para implementar un programa de formación encaminado a fortalecer dichas competencias. La metodología empleada en el estudio fue de tipo mixto, porque involucra aspectos cuantitativos como la medición de las variable competencias digitales desarrolladas por los docentes para el empleo de la plataforma virtual Moodle, desde el paradigma cualitativo se tuvieron en cuenta las opiniones y conceptos de los sujetos participantes en el estudio; de los resultados obtenidos se encontró que los programas de formación docente para el uso didáctico de las TIC en entornos de aprendizaje virtual como la plataforma Moodle, cuando son orientados con un modelo pedagógico activo diferente al catedrático, permiten que los educadores apropien el uso de estas tecnologías y sean gestores de proyectos que dinamizan el proceso enseñanza – aprendizaje, al brindar al estudiante la posibilidad de ser un agente participativo y por su puesto al educador ser guía y orientador en el proceso educativo.This study describes an experience carried out in Moodle virtual learning environments, where the use of Virtual Education as an educational didactic resource was proposed. From a process of teacher training for the implementation of the Moodle virtual platform as a didactic teaching resource, it was analyzed if there were significant changes in the digital competences: Pedagogical, technological, communicative and management, and from this the pedagogical performance of educators; In the same way, I inquired about the possibility that virtual platforms such as Moodle could become a viable alternative that could respond to new educational challenges related to virtual learning environments to boost the educational process. The general objective of the study was to identify the digital competences that teachers possess for the use and administration of the Moodle platform, at the level of secondary and secondary education of the Technical Educational Institution of Monguí, to implement a training program aimed at strengthen these competences The methodology used in the study was of mixed type, because it involved quantitative aspects such as the measurement of the variable digital competences developed by teachers for the use of the Moodle virtual platform, from the qualitative paradigm the opinions and concepts of the subjects participating in the study; From the results obtained it was found that the teacher training programs for the didactic use of ICT in virtual learning environments such as the Moodle platform, when they are oriented with an active pedagogical model different from the professor, allow educators to appropriate the use of these technologies and managers of projects that dynamize the teaching - learning process, giving the student the possibility of being a participative agent and of course the educator being a guide and guidance in the educational process.Bibliografía y webgrafía: páginas 196-205MaestríaMagíster en TIC Aplicadas a las Ciencias de la Educació

Triangulation, respondent validation, and democratic participation in mixed methods research

Over the past 10 years or so the “Field” of “Mixed Methods Research” (MMR) has increasingly been exerting itself as something separate, novel, and significant, with some advocates claiming paradigmatic status. Triangulation is an important component of mixed methods designs. Triangulation has its origins in attempts to validate research findings by generating and comparing different sorts of data, and different respondents’ perspectives, on the topic under investigation. Respondent validation has sometimes been included in such processes, but it is an element that has not attracted significant attention from the MMR community. The article argues that attention to respondent validation is a significant issue for methodological debate and that it should be an important aspect of the development of democratic participation in MMR