Analysis On The Application Of Mixed Methods Research In Institutional Research

Mixed methods research is a new research methodology that is different from qualitative research and quantitative research.Mixed methods research is centered on "solving practical problems".Before using mixed methods research,researchers need to clarify the research purpose and the applicable conditions of mixed methods.When choosing mixed methods for research,researchers need to choose the research design.Mixed methods design mainly covers seven design types.These seven design types can be divided into basic research design and advanced research design.Different design types have different research steps.With the arrival of big data’s information age,the scope of responsibility and research methods of institutional research are also constantly changing and developing.Institutional research is also a practical problem-oriented activity,institutional researchers not only need to diagnose the universal problems in the development of colleges and universities from a large number of data.It is also necessary to explain the internal causes of these problems in combination with qualitative research,which requires giving full play to the respective advantages of quantitative research methods and qualitative research methods,and the emergence of mixed methods can make up for the limitations of the two methods.Thus it plays a better role in promoting the development of scientific and standardized research in colleges and universities.Through the investigation and research on the relevant literature in the research field of domestic universities,it can be seen that the application of mixed methods research in the research field of domestic universities is still in its infancy.Some scholars do not pay enough attention to the mixed methods research,and the literature using the mixed methods research to carry out institutional research accounts for the least proportion.Therefore,mixed methods research needs to be further explored,developed and standardized in the research of domestic universities.In comparison,the research on mixed methods in the field of institutional research in the United States is the most complete.By analyzing the recruitment information released by the American Association for Institutional Research,we can see that many institutional research in America at different levels have begun to specialize in recruitment.There are different levels of demand for people with mixed methods research capabilities.At the same time,it can be seen that some colleges and universities in the United States have begun to consciously cultivate academic research professionals who have skills related to mixed methods,which is of great significance for the development of the methodology in the field of institutional research.This research method should also be absorbed by the research field of Chinese institutions.Of course,the research of institutions in my country has its own development track.It should be absorbed and referenced in combination with the research environment of institutions with Chinese characteristics,and at the same time,it must provide necessary support conditions for mixed methods research.,through the use of mixed methods research,to generate more research results in the field of institutional research.