Qualitative and quantitative approaches to study adoption of sustainable agricultural practices: A research-note on mixed method approach
Keywords:
Agricultural sustainability, survey design, mixed methodology, agrarian questionnaire, smallholder, agricultural extension.Abstract
The emerging field of mixed methods research is yet to develop a unified framework of procedures for mixed
methods data analysis (Greene, 2008). Since the last few decades, the efforts of explaining social aspects
within agricultural research have gained importance, but in evaluating agricultural technology adoption and
their impacts, the use of combined methods is even more infrequent. This study provides a research note to
describe the processes and outcomes of engaging in mixed data analysis. The study was conducted in selected
regions of Pakistan and China to evaluate the adoption and non-adoption of sustainable agricultural practices
among the smallholders in both countries. The proposed method was predominantly helpful in reviewing the
hypotheses, assistance in designing questionnaires, and planning of survey operations. This study also
suggests that mixed methods researchers should consider how qualitative and quantitative methods effect
integrated data analysis approaches, inquiry-based analyses of qualitative and quantitative data which cover
the multiple views, or rational models, of the investigators involved in the study.
