Research and Evaluation: The Practices, Politics, and Possibilities of Mixed Methods Social Inquiry

Journal title RIV Rassegna Italiana di Valutazione
Author/s Jennifer Greene
Publishing Year 2021 Issue 2020/76
Language English Pages 14 P. 19-32 File size 275 KB
DOI 10.3280/RIV2020-076002
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For several decades now, researchers and evaluators around the globe have turned to a mixed methods approach to social inquiry as a strategy for "better understanding" the important social phenomena be-ing studied. One accomplishment of this time period is the elaboration of varied methodological framework(s) and approaches for mixed methods practice by many theorists and practitioners. It is now im-portant to turn our attention to the politics of mixed methods social in-quiry, which can also enlighten our thinking about mixed methods pos-sibilities, including the contributions that mixed methods social inquiry can make to our increasingly troubled world. Within social science, politics generally refers to the values that are advanced by a given study. Values are most commonly conveyed through our designated inquiry purpose and audience, key inquiry questions, and accompany-ing methodological design. This presentation will engage this important topic using the formal language of methodology and the common lan-guage of storytelling.

Keywords: Social inquiry, evaluation, storytelling, politics, values, mixed methods practices

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Jennifer Greene, Research and Evaluation: The Practices, Politics, and Possibilities of Mixed Methods Social Inquiry in "RIV Rassegna Italiana di Valutazione" 76/2020, pp 19-32, DOI: 10.3280/RIV2020-076002