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Mixed-methods research: What’s in it for economists?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

Therese Jefferson ,
Siobhan Austen ,
Rhonda Sharp ,
Rachel Ong ,
Gill Lewin  and
Valerie Adams
Therese Jefferson*
Affiliation:
Curtin University, Australia
Siobhan Austen
Affiliation:
Curtin University, Australia
Rhonda Sharp
Affiliation:
University of South Australia, Australia
Rachel Ong
Affiliation:
Curtin University, Australia
Gill Lewin
Affiliation:
Curtin University, Australia
Valerie Adams
Affiliation:
University of South Australia, Australia
*
Therese Jefferson, Curtin Graduate School of Business, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia. Email: Therese.Jefferson@gsb.curtin.edu.au
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Abstract

Empirical studies in economics traditionally use a limited range of methods, usually based on particular types of regression analysis. Increasingly, sophisticated regression techniques require the availability of appropriate data sets, often longitudinal and typically collected at a national level. This raises challenges for researchers seeking to investigate issues requiring data that are not typically included in regular large-scale data. It also raises questions of the adequacy of relying mainly or solely on regression analysis for investigating key issues of economic theory and policy. One way of addressing these issues is to employ a mixed-methods research framework to investigate important research questions. In this article, we provide an example of applying a mixed-methods design to investigate the employment decisions of mature age women working in the aged care sector. We outline the use of a coherent and robust framework to allow the integrated collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. Drawing on particular examples from our analysis, we show how a mixed-methods approach facilitates richer insights, more finely grained understandings of causal relationships and identification of emergent issues. We conclude that mixed-methods research has the capacity to provide surprises and generate new insights through detailed exploratory data analysis.

Keywords

J21J24Employment conditionsgenderlow-paid workersmixed methodsresearch methodology
Type
Non-Symposium Articles
Information
The Economic and Labour Relations Review , Volume 25 , Issue 2: Symposium - Some Impacts of Neoliberalism , June 2014 , pp. 290 - 305
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2014

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