Beyond Either/Or: Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches in SoTL In-Person / Online

Some SoTL questions are too complex for a single method, what if you could combine data to tell a more complete story of student learning?

This workshop introduces educators to mixed-methods approaches in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), where qualitative and quantitative strategies are combined to explore teaching and learning from multiple angles. Participants will learn how to design studies that integrate student performance data with reflections, survey responses, or interviews, and examine common mixed-methods designs like exploratory, explanatory, and convergent approaches. We'll also discuss the practical challenges of combining datasets, strategies for analysis and integration, and examples of published SoTL projects that demonstrate the power of multiple perspectives. Whether you’re designing a new study or revisiting an existing one, this session will help you explore complex questions through the lens of mixed-methods inquiry.

Upon completion of this learning experience, participants will be able to:

define mixed-methods research and explain its value in SoTL studies
differentiate among common mixed-methods designs (e.g., explanatory, exploratory, convergent)
describe how to integrate qualitative and quantitative data to answer complex SoTL research questions
identify strategies for collecting and organizing multiple data types (e.g., surveys, grades, reflections, interviews)
evaluate examples of SoTL projects that effectively combine qualitative and quantitative approaches
develop a basic mixed-methods study design aligned with a personal or course-based research question
recognize the challenges and benefits of using mixed-methods in classroom-based research, including considerations for IRB and feasibility.

Date:: Friday, November 7, 2025
Time:: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Time Zone:: Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
Location:: Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation
Audience:: Educator Network In-Class Educators
Categories:: Community of Practice Community-Engaged Learning Curriculum Development DEIB & Student Success Designing Courses EdTech Educator Networking Educator Onboarding Evaluation & Assessment Experiential Learning Generative AI Hybrid Session Improving Courses In-person Session Interdisciplinary Learning Lifelong Learning Online Session Special Topics Student Feedback Synchronous Session

* Required Field

Full Name *

Email *

Zip

What college, department, and/or unit(s) do you represent? *

What educator role(s) best describe you? (check all that apply) *

instructor

administrator

student

staff

advisor

additional/other not listed

How did you hear about this event?

Do you require access to any disability-related accommodations to participate in this event (Ex: mobility assistance, interpreting, captioning, materials in an accessible format, dietary needs, etc.)

The Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CTLI) at Michigan State University may photograph, record, or otherwise document this event. Multimedia content gathered from this event may be published on CTLI social media, websites, and other platforms. *

I understand this authorization.

By participating in this event, you acknowledge and agree that the audio, video, film and/or print images may be edited, duplicated, distributed, reproduced, reformatted, and/or translated into other languages in any manner without payment of fees. *

I understand this authorization.

If your likeness is to be used for commercial purposes (paid advertising and print materials), you will be contacted by CTLI to sign a release prior to use. *

I understand this authorization.

Event box

Beyond Either/Or: Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches in SoTL In-Person / Online