Using Mixed Methods to Explore Variations in Impact Within RCTs: The Case of Project COMPASS

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Julie Edmunds, Program Director for Secondary School Reform (Creator)
Dora Gicheva, Assistant Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in education are common as the design allows for an unbiased estimate of the overall impact of a program. As more RCTs are completed, researchers are also noting that an overall average impact may mask substantial variation across sites or groups of individuals. Mixed methods can provide insight and help in unpacking some of the reasons for these variations in impact. This article contributes to the field of mixed methods research by integrating mixed methods into a recently developed conceptual framework for understanding variations in impact. We model the use of this approach within the context of an RCT for online courses that found differences in impact across courses.

Additional Information

Publication
Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1-22
Language: English
Date: 2021
Keywords
randomized controlled trials, variations in impact, technology, online courses

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