Mixed Methods and Quality of Postgraduate Research: A Kenyan Perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACT This chapter analysed the extent, nature, and suitability of use of mixed methods research by postgraduate students in Kenya as well as its influence on the quality of their research output. Data anchoring the chapter was collected through qualitative content analysis of 229 theses and dissertations of library and information science postgraduate students in Kenya retrieved from the respective institutional repositories. Of these, 193 were Master’s dissertations while 36 were doctoral theses. One hundred twenty-two (53.3%) of the theses and dissertations were developed using mixed methods research while 74 (32.3%) were based on qualitative studies. Most of the students collected both qualitative and quantitative data concurrently and merged the same during analysis and interpretation. It also emerged that the bulk of data collected by the students was qualitative; quantitative data was largely used to supplement or validate qualitative data. Using citations, it emerged that theses and dissertations developed through mixed methods research attracted more citations thereby indicating a superior quality.