What is a mixed-method assessment?

A mixed-method assessment is characterized by its integration of both qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods. This approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of a subject or phenomenon by combining the strengths of both types of data. Qualitative data, which can include observations, interviews, and open-ended responses, provide context and depth to the assessment, capturing the complexity of participants' experiences or opinions. Meanwhile, quantitative data, which includes numerical scores or statistics, offers measurable and comparable results that can be statistically analyzed.

By employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, mixed-method assessments gain a holistic view of the data, allowing educators or researchers to triangulate results, validate findings, and draw more nuanced conclusions than they might obtain using a single method alone. This creates richer insights and enables more informed decision-making in educational or research contexts.