Realizing the integrative capacity of educational mixed methods research teams: using a complexity-sensitive strategy to boost innovation. Issue 3 (27th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Poth, Cheryl
• Is Part Of: International journal of research & method in education. Volume 42:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 252
• Page End: 266
• Publication Date: 2019-05-27
• Subjects: Mixed methods research -- research teams -- complexity-sensitive strategy -- education; Education -- Research -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; 370.705
• DOI: 10.1080/1743727X.2019.1590813
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-727X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Educational research teams are increasingly recognized as an optimal configuration for addressing more complex mixed methods research problems; however, their development is often approached as a conventional research collaboration rather than an integrative one. An approach informed by complexity theory provides the practical guidance for studying mixed methods research teams as complex adaptive systems with the capacity for generating novel educational research outcomes greater than the sum of individual contributions alone. In this paper, I advance a complexity-sensitive strategy through which to realize the integrative capacity of educational mixed methods research teams comprising of four interrelated elements: membership, contributions, interactions, and performance. These elements embody amalgamations from a decade of my readings of the literature and real-life professional experience. Each element is examined in light of the three key concepts of complex adaptive systems to describe the necessary conditions for emergence, influential challenges illustrating interdependency, and desirable individual and team adaptations. The study's theoretical and practical implications are discussed.