Page 12 - IJPS-10-2

International Journal of
Population Studies Australia’s Knitting Nannas lifelong learning

2.2. Case study methodology 2.3. Research strategies: A sequential mixed

Constituted by a number of groups in approximately methods case study with a developmental design
40 locations, KNAG is a “multisite bounded system” The research strategy used a sequential mixed methods
(Merriam, 2014, p. 49). A mixed-method descriptive study with a developmental design, where “analysis of
case study of their network was conducted to understand preliminary data informs and/or initiates the development
the women’s informal learning processes. This approach of a subsequent data collection” (Bazeley, 2018, p. 73;
has proven effective in educational research involving Onghena et al., 2019).). The study started with a quantitative
complex social elements, multiple variables, and a need and qualitative survey, which was then expanded on
for rich description (Merriam, 2014). Learning within through purposive sampling of interviewees and social
social movements is characterized by complex, dynamic, media data.
and “messy” processes that constantly shift between An initial draft questionnaire was developed based
the individual and the collective (Kluttz & Walter, on analysis of the documentary Knitting Nannas (Larri
2018, p. 96-97). It is “multi-site” because the network & Newlands, 2017; O’Keefe & Brown, 2014), the KNAG
is comprised of a membership of older women within website, and researcher observation of KNAG members at
a range of geographically located subgroups known as the 2016 KNAG Annual Conference (Chinchilla, August
loops. All research participants were active members of 26–28, 2016). Getting to know KNAG culture contributed
the KNAG at the time of the research.
to the construction of interview and survey questions in
Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected ways meaningful to the Nannas themselves.
through primary sources, including written (online)
survey data, interviews, and document analysis of social 2.3.1. Mixed methods
media in the public domain (Facebook posts, digital videos, There has been substantive literature addressing the
emails, and e-news bulletins). The research was approved incompatibility of mixing quantitative and qualitative
by the Human Research Ethics Committee at James Cook research methods. This contention stems from the different
University. ontological and epistemological traditions inherent in each

To obtain ethics approval from the university, I method, which led to the “paradigm wars” of the late 1980s
ensured that all participants surveyed or interviewed were and early 1990s (Bazeley, 2018, p. 5). Mixed methods have
deidentified. Each woman signed a consent form, which since gained acceptance as “a third major approach to
included agreement of the following terms: social science research” (Bazeley, 2018, p. 5). Aligning with
the objective of a descriptive case study, Onghena et al.
“The information collected will be specially coded so (2019, p. 463) promote mixed methods for researchers
that you cannot be personally identified. Your responses aiming for a rich narrative case study that integrates
and contact details will be strictly confidential. The data qualitative case study with statistical analysis, thus adding
and any visual or audio recordings from the study will “narrative flesh.” Bazeley (2018) contends that there is
be used for data analysis only. The results of the study no universally agreed-upon definition of mixed methods
will be used for academic purposes such as research research. Methodological and temporal triangulation
publications and conference presentations. You will was employed through the use of multiple data methods
not be identified in any way in these publications from 2017 to 2020. Validity and reliability were ensured
unless you specifically agree.” within each data collection strategy to the extent possible.
Survey respondents are referred to as “S,” followed by Validity or legitimation in mixed methods research (Check
their unique respondent number. Each interviewee chose & Schutt, 2011; Cohen et al., 2011) was enhanced by: (i)
a pseudonym based on women they admired, which I have Sample integration using the same sample to enable high
consistently used throughout my writings. quality inferences from data, such as selecting interviewees
The content analysis of social media in the public from the original survey sample; (ii) multiple strategies
domain from 2012 to 2020 included Facebook posts, to ensure validity within each type of quantitative and
digital videos, emails, and e-news bulletins. The collection qualitative data gathered; and (iii) cross-referencing details
and analysis focused on confirming, challenging, and from survey findings with interviewees, referring between
triangulating findings from all sources. The Association interviewees, and asking interviewees to reflect on the
of Internet Researchers (Markham & Buchanan, 2012) practices of others, drawing from their experiences.
provided the ethical guidelines for conducting social The research approach drew on a post-positivist
media research, and quotes from Facebook and other framework, using objective data triangulated with
social media were anonymized. descriptive phenomenology gained from the subjective

Volume 10 Issue 2 (2024) 6 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.381