Utilizing Mixed Methods in Social Capital Research

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the mixed-methods research methodology literature, which continues to develop. the main issue that shapes the course of a mixed methods research study is its design strategy, which influences the integration process of the research. As a major issue for mixed methods research methodology, integration during the interpretation phase of a mixed methods study directly affects the output of the study. With this regard, the aim of this thesis is to seek the appropriate design type for a mixed methods research on a complex social phenomenon, how mixed methods research would be beneficial to comprehend a complex social phenomenon, and to see how design strategy, integration, and interpretation processes would occur within mixed methods research. In this study, social capital concept was taken as an exemplar complex social phenomenon for the mixed methods research. The goal of the mixed methods research within this thesis is to comprehend social capital of the individuals in Turkey as completely as it can be. In the quantitative strand, nationally representative surveys that contribute to the generation of data on social capital were analysed, and data of the 2014-2015 Turkey Time Use Survey, which contains the most comprehensive questions on this subject were used. A composite index of social capital was created by conducting a factor analysis. The index involved three sub-indices, i.e. everyday sociability, social network support, and cultural sociability. The results of the quantitative research were related to the networks component of social capital. In the qualitative strand in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 individuals, 8 women and 8 men. The findings of the qualitative research involved information related to the trust and norms components of social capital, in addition to the networks component. In the last strand of the study, the two data sets were integrated by merging them using a joint display matrix. An important finding of the study is that an individual's family and social environment is very important for social capital and that this environment provides stronger tools for men than for women. As a significant outcome, we defined a new design type, i.e. complementary sequential design, to carry on a suitable integration process. On the other hand, although the purpose of this study is not to provide a questionnaire to be used in social capital research, since we find the results of our mixed methods research valuable for use in a social capital survey, a set of question recommendations that can guide a survey on social capital was presented.