Applying Dialectical Pluralism in Mixed Methods Research

This workshop will engage participants with the dialectical pluralism approach to mixed methods research (Johnson, 2011, 2015, 2017). First, the workshop will explicate the theory of dialectical pluralism. Second, participants will use DP to interact with different ontologies, epistemologies, methodologies, methods, axiologies, while learning how to create new combinations on a project by project basis. Third, an implementation framework for applying DP will be presented which includes three phases: (1) design phase to identify and ensure the right people are involved; (2) grow phase to build the social infrastructure for successful DP; and (3) perform phase to maintain momentum and positive interaction. Participants have opportunities to build DP capacity at three levels: individual, group, and systemically. We will also illustrate collaborative logic modeling as one team-based strategy for dialoging with multiple perspectives and negotiating common visions. We emphasize how to meet multiple rigorous validity criteria while producing “win-win” solutions.

Dr. R. Burke Johnson, is a Professor in the Department of Counseling and Instructional Sciences, University of South Alabama. He is a research methodologist and coauthor or coeditor of six methods books. Dr. Johnson has most recently focused his work on causation in mixed methods research, mixed methods grounded theory, mixed methods experimental research, unpacking pragmatism, and the integrative philosophical process theory of dialectical pluralism."

Dr. Susan Tucker (President of Evaluation & Development Associates LLC and Board Member, American Evaluation Association) conducts improvement-oriented mixed methods research and program evaluation with universities, medical schools, school districts at state, national, and international levels. She currently concentrates on evaluating large-scale, complex partnerships trying to effect educational transformation in diverse settings.

Dr. Ed McLain is an Associate Professor and former Dean of the College of Education, University of Alaska, Anchorage. His work focuses on policy, program evaluation, and collaborative data-informed planning and decision-making - particularly in culturally diverse settings, with a 45 + year career in P-12 education serving in a variety of postings - from teacher and teacher trainer to principal, district superintendent, and state deputy commissioner in Alaska as well as Micronesia (FSM), Iran, Venezuela, Tokyo, and New York City.

Dr. Ray Ivatt (Evaluation & Development Associates LLC), has been working with Tucker on evaluating tools to apply dialectical pluralism from design to implementation phases of mixed methods research and evaluation.  Results of their work has been presented at AERA, MMIRA and AERA.

Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie is professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Sam Houston State University, teaching doctoral-level courses in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research. Further, he is a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Johannesburg. With a h-index of 83, he has authored/co-authored more than 400 published works.