Mixed Methods Analysis, Article Writing Example

Purpose: Do Florida teachers perceive the FCAT as a system that needs to be improved or replaced?

Design: This study will use a mixed-methods approach to gathering and analyzing data. Participants will be gathered in focus groups for the purpose of discussing the current FCAT system and, where appropriate, to offer potential solutions to improve or replace it. Participants will also be asked to respond to individual surveys that query each of them about their overall level of satisfaction with the FCAT system.

Sample: A representative sample of teachers from schools with divergent FCAT letter grades to ensure that the variances in individual experience with the FCAT are discerned and analyzed.

Analysis: Transcriptions of the discussions will be analyzed to determine prominent themes and suggestions from the teachers. In addition, the survey results will be compiled to determine the overall level of satisfaction with the FCAT as perceived by Florida public school teachers. The combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis will be used to develop a report about how Florida public school teachers perceive the FCAT, their overall levels of satisfaction with the FCAT, and the findings about what ways they believe the current system could be improved or replaced.