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ABSTRACT
The paper presents empirical data concerning the utilisation of mixed method research in Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) research projects (theses). The Southern Cross University, Australia, DBA program was established in 1996 as a research degree and has successfully graduated over 250 graduates from a diverse range of countries across the globe. It is the largest DBA program in the Australasia. The research will present prevalence rates of mixed methods research utilised by doctoral candidates, data will be presented on the most frequently used data collection methods and research approaches within the field of business and management, with empirical data from a number of countries including Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Emergent issues with regard to the use of mixed methods research in business and management research and the teaching of mixed methods are discussed.
Keywords: mixed method, doctoral research, research design
INTRODUCTION
There is relatively less research, literature and commentary on the utilisation of mixed method research designs in applied business than there is in the fields of the social and behavioural sciences, health and education where mixed method research have gained acceptance and has been used extensively. Traditionally, most business discipline research has been undertaken within the quantitative paradigm, with an emerging utilisation of qualitative research for several decades. More recently however, mixed method research designs are becoming part of the fabric of business research and are increasingly playing a significant role in doctoral level business research (Miller & Marchant, 2009). The aim of this paper is to analyse the research approaches adopted by doctoral research candidates undertaking a business and management doctorate program, specifically focusing on the prevalence rates of mixed method research.
The Southern Cross University Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program was established in 1996 and was one of the first business-related professional doctorate research programs offered in Australia. The program has expanded internationally and is delivered in several countries including Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand by way of educational collaborative partnership. Unlike most of the other DBA programs offered in Australia, the program is classified by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) as a research higher degree, i.e., as having a research component of at least two-thirds...