A Study Of Sampling Strategy In Mixed Methods Research

Sampling is an important element in the conduction of a mixed methods research.In a mixed methods research,the process of sampling requires two different yet interrelated decisions:sampling strategy and sample size.Under a mixed method design typology framework,this thesis attempts to answer three research questions related to sampling strategy in mixed methods research.Based on mixed methods studies published in Language Teaching Research from 2008 to 2018,by using content analysis method,the thesis aims to analyze the relationship between different types of sampling strategy,sample size,and how sampling sequence characterize different design typologiesData of this thesis derives from 48 mixed methods studies published on Language Teaching Research from 2008 to 2018,taking the percentage of 22.43%in 214 empirical studies.Among 8 types of sampling strategy which were employed in Language Teaching Research,purposive sampling strategy is most frequently employed by researchers,taking the percentage of 62.5%,followed by the cluster sampling strategy(31.3%)and stratified sampling strategy(29.2%).In a mixed study,there are four kinds of relationships between qualitative and quantitative samples,identified as parallel,identical,nested,and multi-level relations,which are also reflected in Language Teaching Research.On the basis of mixed design framework,the sampling sequence will characterize the remaining five types in addition to the trans-formative designThis thesis explores implications on language teaching research in terms of sample size and sampling strategy.The study finds that sampling strategy is mainly affected by research design and research methods;and it also can be found that the sample size is mainly determined by research questions and the actual research situation.When researchers consider implementing a mixed methods study,they are constrained by both the research question(what they want to do)and the current situation(what they can do),and they will make a choice between sampling strategy and sample size.This thesis will make up for the lack of less research on the mixed sampling strategy by domestic scholars and render beneficial feedback on language teaching research.