Current Mixed Methods Practices in Qualitative Research: A Content Analysis of Leading Journals
Mixed methods research (MMR) has become increasingly popular in recent years. Yet, methodological challenges of mixing qualitative and quantitative data remain. Understanding how MMR is approached in qualitative research journals provides insights into lingering mixing issues. In this article, we co...
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doaj-c40b63729a834e47aee866b60ed4d84b2020-11-25T02:54:19ZengSAGE PublishingInternational Journal of Qualitative Methods1609-40692015-04-011410.1177/160940691501400205Current Mixed Methods Practices in Qualitative Research: A Content Analysis of Leading JournalsMandy M. Archibald R.N., Ph.D. (cand)Amanda I. Radil M.Ed, Ph.D. (cand)Xiaozhou Zhang M.Ed., Ph.D. (cand)William E. Hanson Ph.D.Mixed methods research (MMR) has become increasingly popular in recent years. Yet, methodological challenges of mixing qualitative and quantitative data remain. Understanding how MMR is approached in qualitative research journals provides insights into lingering mixing issues. In this article, we content analyzed five leading qualitative research journals from 2003 to 2014, which represents the reflective period of MMR. Of the 5,254 articles published, 94, or 1.79%, were mixed methods in nature, comprising 44 theoretically oriented articles and 50 empirical articles. In terms of theoretical articles, five content-based themes were identified: (a) MMR advocacy, (b) philosophy issues, (c) procedural suggestions, (d) practical issues and best practices, and (e) future directions. In terms of empirical articles, 36% used exploratory sequential designs, primarily to develop instruments, and 52% explicitly identified as MMR. None of the studies included MMR questions, and development (21%) and complementarity (14%) were the primary rationales for mixing. In virtually all studies (98%), mixing occurred at the data interpretation stage through some comparison of qualitative and quantitative research. Qualitative data were prioritized in 86% of the studies. Based on these findings, it appears that MMR affects qualitative research most directly by influencing study design and study purpose; however, there is a strong tendency to conduct and publish qualitative and quantitative studies separately. Recommendations for publishing future MMR are discussed.https://doi.org/10.1177/160940691501400205 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Mandy M. Archibald R.N., Ph.D. (cand) Amanda I. Radil M.Ed, Ph.D. (cand) Xiaozhou Zhang M.Ed., Ph.D. (cand) William E. Hanson Ph.D. |
spellingShingle |
Mandy M. Archibald R.N., Ph.D. (cand) Amanda I. Radil M.Ed, Ph.D. (cand) Xiaozhou Zhang M.Ed., Ph.D. (cand) William E. Hanson Ph.D. Current Mixed Methods Practices in Qualitative Research: A Content Analysis of Leading Journals International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
author_facet |
Mandy M. Archibald R.N., Ph.D. (cand) Amanda I. Radil M.Ed, Ph.D. (cand) Xiaozhou Zhang M.Ed., Ph.D. (cand) William E. Hanson Ph.D. |
author_sort |
Mandy M. Archibald R.N., Ph.D. (cand) |
title |
Current Mixed Methods Practices in Qualitative Research: A Content Analysis of Leading Journals |
title_short |
Current Mixed Methods Practices in Qualitative Research: A Content Analysis of Leading Journals |
title_full |
Current Mixed Methods Practices in Qualitative Research: A Content Analysis of Leading Journals |
title_fullStr |
Current Mixed Methods Practices in Qualitative Research: A Content Analysis of Leading Journals |
title_full_unstemmed |
Current Mixed Methods Practices in Qualitative Research: A Content Analysis of Leading Journals |
title_sort |
current mixed methods practices in qualitative research: a content analysis of leading journals |
publisher |
SAGE Publishing |
series |
International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
issn |
1609-4069 |
publishDate |
2015-04-01 |
description |
Mixed methods research (MMR) has become increasingly popular in recent years. Yet, methodological challenges of mixing qualitative and quantitative data remain. Understanding how MMR is approached in qualitative research journals provides insights into lingering mixing issues. In this article, we content analyzed five leading qualitative research journals from 2003 to 2014, which represents the reflective period of MMR. Of the 5,254 articles published, 94, or 1.79%, were mixed methods in nature, comprising 44 theoretically oriented articles and 50 empirical articles. In terms of theoretical articles, five content-based themes were identified: (a) MMR advocacy, (b) philosophy issues, (c) procedural suggestions, (d) practical issues and best practices, and (e) future directions. In terms of empirical articles, 36% used exploratory sequential designs, primarily to develop instruments, and 52% explicitly identified as MMR. None of the studies included MMR questions, and development (21%) and complementarity (14%) were the primary rationales for mixing. In virtually all studies (98%), mixing occurred at the data interpretation stage through some comparison of qualitative and quantitative research. Qualitative data were prioritized in 86% of the studies. Based on these findings, it appears that MMR affects qualitative research most directly by influencing study design and study purpose; however, there is a strong tendency to conduct and publish qualitative and quantitative studies separately. Recommendations for publishing future MMR are discussed. |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1177/160940691501400205 |
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