A note on merging findings with regard to mixed methods research: for MBA students

A note on merging findings with regard to mixed methods research: for MBA students

 

Regarding the context of doing an MBA dissertation project with the research philosophy and the research approach of mixed methods research, please advise three main ways on how to mix or combine quantitative and qualitative research findings, notably in the dissertation report chapter [chapter 5] of "discussion of findings", after chapter 4 "presentations of research findings".

 

In Chapter 5, the key is to move beyond restating Chapter 4 separately: organise the discussion around each research question or theme, then explicitly compare, connect, and interpret the quantitative and qualitative evidence together. Three practical ways to do this are triangulation, joint displays, and an integrative narrative/meta-inference.

1. Triangulate findings by research question

For each research question, place the survey/statistical result and the interview/focus-group finding side by side, then classify their relationship as convergence (they agree), complementarity (they explain different aspects), or dissonance/divergence (they conflict). This is normally done at the interpretation stage, after each dataset has been analysed separately.

For an MBA dissertation, structure Chapter 5 as:

·        Research Question 1: Quantitative result → Qualitative result → Convergence/complementarity/divergence → Interpretation.

·        Research Question 2: Repeat the same sequence.

·        Research Question 3: Repeat, including any unexpected or contradictory findings.

For example, if 72% of survey respondents rate a service as satisfactory, but interviewees complain about slow complaint handling, do not simply report both facts. Discuss that the quantitative result measures overall satisfaction, while the qualitative data reveals a specific weakness that may not be visible in the aggregate score. This produces a richer managerial interpretation than either method alone.

2. Use a joint display or convergence matrix

A joint display is a table, matrix, or figure that places quantitative and qualitative findings alongside each other and shows the integrated interpretation. It is one of the clearest ways to demonstrate genuine mixed-methods integration in a dissertation.

A simple Chapter 5 format could be:

Theme / research question	Quantitative finding	Qualitative finding	Relationship	Integrated interpretation
Customer loyalty	High repeat-purchase intention	Customers value staff responsiveness	Convergence	Responsiveness is a key driver of loyalty
Digital adoption	Moderate usage of mobile app	Older customers find navigation difficult	Complementarity	Adoption is constrained by usability, not lack of interest
Price perception	Price is not the top-rated factor	Interviewees emphasise reliability and trust	Partial divergence	Price matters, but trust may mediate purchase decisions

 

The matrix should not replace discussion; it should support it by making the points of agreement, difference, and added insight visible.

3. Develop meta-inferences through an integrative narrative

After comparing the two strands, write an integrative narrative that explains what the combined evidence means for your research problem, theory, and managerial practice. A meta-inference is the new conclusion that emerges only when the quantitative and qualitative findings are interpreted together.

In practice, each discussion section should answer:

·        What does the quantitative evidence show?

·        What does the qualitative evidence show?

·        How do they confirm, enrich, qualify, or challenge each other?

·        What overall conclusion or managerial recommendation follows?

·        How does this relate to the literature reviewed in Chapter 2?

For example: “The survey indicates that perceived service quality is positively associated with repurchase intention, while interviews explain the mechanism: frontline staff responsiveness builds trust during service failures. Together, the findings suggest that investment in staff empowerment and complaint-resolution training may be a higher-leverage loyalty strategy than across-the-board price reductions.” This is an integrated interpretation, not merely two sets of findings reported in sequence.

Recommended Chapter 5 structure

A strong structure for your dissertation could be:

1.    Introduction to the discussion — restate the aim, research questions, and integration approach.

2.    Discussion by research question or theme — use triangulation for each question.

3.    Joint displays — include one or more matrices to make integration visible.

4.    Convergent, complementary, and divergent findings — explicitly discuss agreement, added insight, and contradictions.

5.    Meta-inferences and synthesis — state the combined conclusions.

6.    Links to literature and theory — explain whether findings support, extend, or challenge prior research.

7.    Managerial implications — translate integrated findings into practical recommendations.

8.    Limitations arising from integration — acknowledge sample differences, timing, measurement limits, or possible explanation for divergent results.

The most important examiner-facing principle is this: Chapter 4 presents the findings; Chapter 5 integrates them. Use triangulation to compare them, joint displays to organise them, and meta-inferences to explain their combined meaning.