Mixed Methods Research

There are also research questions that lend themselves to both types of research. Mixed methods research incorporates both qualitative and quantitative research methods into a study design. Mixed methods research “involves the collection or analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data in a single study in which data are collected concurrently or sequentially, are given a priority, and involve the integration of the data in one or more stages of the process of research,” (Handbook of Mixed Methods).

Benefits of mixed methods designs include:

• Opportunity to examine different facets of a phenomenon
• Ability to maximize the strengths and minimize the limitations of quantitative and qualitative research
• Potential to increase stakeholder confidence in the overall findings

Jonathan pauses to consider this information, and then he turns to Maxine quizzically. If the team already conducted a quantitative survey and analyzed that data, and we are now designing a complementary qualitative study to better understand the survey results, could this actually be considered a mixed methods study? Maxine smiles and tells Jonathan that he is a very quick learner and this could be thought of as mixed methods research. But Maxine advises Jonathan to focus on just the qualitative study for now.