From Theory to Practice: Using the Exploratory Sequential Design to Develop a Continuous Professional Development Framework

There are limited studies on the application of exploratory sequential design as a mixed methods approach to intervention development. Accordingly, the methodological purpose of this paper, using an agricultural education example, is to illustrate how the mixed methods exploratory sequential design can be used in the development of a continuous professional development framework. The paper incorporates 35 semi-structured interviews, 70 survey responses, an additional qualitative-plus-quantitative step (including two focus groups), and a transnational perspective to the exploratory sequential design process. The paper signifies a novel methodological contribution to the traditional exploratory sequential design process as it is widely understood. The approach applied in this paper can be used by other researchers/educators/training providers/interest holders/etc., to inform future intervention development.