Mixed-Methods Approach in Research on Community Based Organisations

Abstract

Using mixed methods is often proposed as desirable, but not an often used research
design. By using a mixed methods design in exploratory and survey phases, this study
shows how qualitative and quantitative methods can help to gain a better understand-
ing of the community based organisation’s (CBO) structure, social capital, and com-
munity capacity building. It also studies how the Appreciative Inquiry training provided
to the CBOs in Karnataka, impacts sustainable community development. Finally, this
paper proposes a research design for studying complex phenomenon and developing
theory through a combination of cases and analysis of other qualitative data, variance
and path analysis.