Compare and contrast the development of theory in mixed methods research. What determines how theory ...

●   Theory in Sequential Mixed Methods Studies
o   If a researcher begins a sequential mixed methods study with a qualitative investigation, then he or she should give priority to qualitative data and generate theory that is grounded in the data.
o   If a researcher begins a sequential mixed methods study with a quantitative investigation, then he or she should give priority to quantitative methods and generate theory that explains and tests the data.
o   If the theory is supported in a quantitative analysis, the qualitative portion of the study can be used to elaborate upon parts of the theory that perhaps were not fully tested using the quantitative techniques that were chosen.
o   If the theory was not supported by the quantitative analysis, the qualitative techniques could be used to refine the theory.
●   Theory in Concurrent Mixed Methods Studies
o   If a researcher is using qualitative and quantitative methods at the same time, it would be logical to assume that one approach would be oriented toward deductive theorizing and the other to inductive theorizing.
o   Otherwise, there is really no one answer to this apparent conundrum.