Mixed Methods Research

Vicki L. Plano Clark, PhD, is professor of research methods in the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services at the University of Cincinnati, USA.  She is an applied research methodologist who studies, applies, teaches, mentors, consults, and writes about the adoption and use of mixed methods research. Her scholarship focuses on resolving methodological issues associated with mixed methods designs and understanding larger contexts that influence the application of mixed methods research. Her writings include Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research (4th edition, Sage Publishing, 2027, coauthored with John W. Creswell) and Mixed Methods Research: A Guide to the Field (2016, Sage Publishing, coauthored with Nataliya V. Ivankova). She serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Mixed Methods Research and was a founding Editor of the Mixed Methods Research Series with Sage Publishing. She has held leadership roles for the Mixed Methods Research Special Interest Group and the Teaching and Learning Research Methods Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). She is dedicated to advancing opportunities for students and scholars across disciplines to understand and apply diverse research methods to address important real-world problems.Nataliya Ivankova, PhD, MPH, is professor in the Department of Health Services Administration with a dual appointment in the School of Nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is an applied methodologist working at the intersection of mixed methods, qualitative, community-based, and translational research. She has developed a methodological framework for a sequential quantitative to qualitative mixed methods design that was used in this study. She teaches courses in mixed methods and qualitative research, mentors doctoral students and junior faculty, and serves as a lead methodologist on funded projects. She also directs a graduate certificate program in Applications of Mixed Methods Research. She is a founding co-editor of the Mixed Methods Research Series with SAGE Publishing and is an associate editor for the Journal of Mixed Methods Research and a qualitative research editor for the American Journal of Health Behavior.

"[This text] provides an excellent starting point to engage in the field (and key debates) concerning mixed methods as practice and theory."

• Part I: A Conceptual Framework for the Field of Mixed Methods ResearchChapter 1: Why a Guide to the Field of Mixed Methods Research? Introducing a Conceptual Framework of the FieldThe Essence of Mixed Methods ResearchThe Field of Mixed Methods ResearchThe Need for a Guide for Navigating the Field of Mixed Methods ResearchThe Socio-Ecological Framework for the Field of Mixed Methods ResearchApplication of the Socio-Ecological Framework to a Mixed Methods StudyUsing the Socio-Ecological Framework to Guide This BookChapter 2: What Is the Core of Mixed Methods Research Practice? Introducing the Mixed Methods Research ProcessThe Role of the Mixed Methods Research Process in the Field of Mixed Methods ResearchMajor Perspectives About the Mixed Methods Research ProcessIssues and Debates About the Mixed Methods Research ProcessApplying the Mixed Methods Research Process in Research PracticePart II: Methodological Content Considerations for Mixed Methods Research PracticeChapter 3: What Is Mixed Methods Research? Considering How Mixed Methods Research Is DefinedThe Role of Definitions in the Field of Mixed Methods ResearchTerminology Used to Name Mixed Methods ResearchMajor Perspectives for Defining Mixed Methods ResearchExamples of Mixed Methods Research DefinitionsIssues and Debates About DefinitionsApplying Definitions in Mixed Methods Research PracticeChapter 4: Why Use Mixed Methods Research? Identifying Rationales for Mixing MethodsThe Role of Rationales in the Field of Mixed Methods ResearchMajor Perspectives About Rationales for Mixed Methods ResearchExamples of Rationales for Mixed Methods ResearchIssues and Debates About RationalesApplying Rationales in Mixed Methods Research PracticeChapter 5: How to Use Mixed Methods Research? Understanding the Basic Mixed Methods DesignsThe Role of Designs in the Field of Mixed Methods ResearchMajor Perspectives About Designs for Mixed Methods ResearchBasic Designs for Mixed Methods ResearchIssues and Debates About the Mixed Methods Research DesignsApplying the Mixed Methods Research Designs in Research PracticeChapter 6: How to Expand the Use of Mixed Methods Research? Intersecting Mixed Methods With Other ApproachesThe Role of Advanced Applications of Designs in the Field of Mixed Methods ResearchMajor Perspectives About Advanced Applications of Designs for Mixed Methods ResearchExamples of Advanced Mixed Methods DesignsIssues and Debates About Intersecting Mixed Methods With Other ApproachesApplying Advanced Applications of Designs in Mixed Methods Research PracticeChapter 7: How to Assess Mixed Methods Research? Considering Mixed Methods Research QualityThe Role of Quality in the Field of Mixed Methods ResearchMajor Perspectives About Quality for Mixed Methods ResearchExamples of Quality for Mixed Methods ResearchIssues and Debates About Quality in Mixed Methods ResearchApplying Quality in Mixed Methods Research PracticePart III: Contexts That Shape Mixed Methods Research PracticeChapter 8: How Do Personal Contexts Shape Mixed Methods? Considering Philosophical, Theoretical, and Experiential Foundations for Mixed Methods ResearchThe Role of Personal Contexts in the Field of Mixed Methods ResearchMajor Perspectives About Personal Contexts for Mixed Methods ResearchStances About Personal Contexts for Mixed Methods ResearchIssues and Debates About Personal Contexts and Mixed Methods ResearchApplying Personal Contexts in Mixed Methods Research PracticeChapter 9: How Do Interpersonal Contexts Shape Mixed Methods? Considering Interactions With Research Participants, Teams, and Reviewers in Mixed Methods ResearchThe Role of Interpersonal Contexts in the Field of Mixed Methods ResearchMajor Perspectives About Interpersonal Contexts for Mixed Methods ResearchExamples of Addressing Interpersonal Contexts in Mixed Methods Research PracticeIssues and Debates About Interpersonal Contexts and Mixed Methods ResearchApplying Interpersonal Contexts in Mixed Methods Research PracticeChapter 10: How Do Social Contexts Shape Mixed Methods? Considering Institutional, Disciplinary, and Societal Influences on Mixed Methods ResearchThe Role of Social Contexts in the Field of Mixed Methods ResearchMajor Perspectives About Social Contexts for Mixed Methods ResearchConsidering the Status of Mixed Methods Research Within Social ContextsIssues and Debates About Social Contexts and Mixed Methods ResearchApplying Social Contexts in Mixed Methods Research PracticePart IV: Concluding ThoughtsChapter 11: Where Is Mixed Methods Research Headed? Applying the Field in Your Mixed Methods Research PracticeUtility of Our Socio-Ecological Framework to Guide Your Mixed Methods Research PracticeApplying the Framework: Understanding the Messiness of Mixed Methods ResearchApplying the Framework: Implementing Your Mixed Methods Research StudiesApplying the Framework: Developing Your Expertise in Mixed Methods ResearchApplying the Framework: Future Developments in Mixed Methods Research