Mixed Methods Research: A Guide to the Field(Mixed Methods Research Series)

About the Book

This practical book introduces a unique socio-ecological framework for understanding the field of mixed methods research and its different perspectives. Based on the framework, it addresses basic questions including: What is the mixed methods research process? How is mixed methods research defined? Why is it used? What designs are available? How does mixed methods research intersect with other research approaches? What is mixed methods research quality? How is mixed methods shaped by personal, interpersonal, and social contexts? By focusing on the topics, perspectives, and debates occurring in the field of mixed methods research, the book helps students, scholars, and researchers identify, understand, and participate in these conversations to inform their own research practice.

 Mixed Methods Research is Volume 3 in the SAGE Mixed Methods Research Series.

Table of Contents:
Part I: A Conceptual Framework for the Field of Mixed Methods Research Chapter 1: Why a Guide to the Field of Mixed Methods Research? Introducing a Conceptual Framework of the Field The Essence of Mixed Methods Research The Field of Mixed Methods Research The Need for a Guide for Navigating the Field of Mixed Methods Research The Socio-Ecological Framework for the Field of Mixed Methods Research Application of the Socio-Ecological Framework to a Mixed Methods Study Using the Socio-Ecological Framework to Guide This Book Chapter 2: What Is the Core of Mixed Methods Research Practice? Introducing the Mixed Methods Research Process The Role of the Mixed Methods Research Process in the Field of Mixed Methods Research Major Perspectives About the Mixed Methods Research Process Issues and Debates About the Mixed Methods Research Process Applying the Mixed Methods Research Process in Research Practice Part II: Methodological Content Considerations for Mixed Methods Research Practice Chapter 3: What Is Mixed Methods Research? Considering How Mixed Methods Research Is Defined The Role of Definitions in the Field of Mixed Methods Research Terminology Used to Name Mixed Methods Research Major Perspectives for Defining Mixed Methods Research Examples of Mixed Methods Research Definitions Issues and Debates About Definitions Applying Definitions in Mixed Methods Research Practice Chapter 4: Why Use Mixed Methods Research? Identifying Rationales for Mixing Methods The Role of Rationales in the Field of Mixed Methods Research Major Perspectives About Rationales for Mixed Methods Research Examples of Rationales for Mixed Methods Research Issues and Debates About Rationales Applying Rationales in Mixed Methods Research Practice Chapter 5: How to Use Mixed Methods Research? Understanding the Basic Mixed Methods Designs The Role of Designs in the Field of Mixed Methods Research Major Perspectives About Designs for Mixed Methods Research Basic Designs for Mixed Methods Research Issues and Debates About the Mixed Methods Research Designs Applying the Mixed Methods Research Designs in Research Practice Chapter 6: How to Expand the Use of Mixed Methods Research? Intersecting Mixed Methods With Other Approaches The Role of Advanced Applications of Designs in the Field of Mixed Methods Research Major Perspectives About Advanced Applications of Designs for Mixed Methods Research Examples of Advanced Mixed Methods Designs Issues and Debates About Intersecting Mixed Methods With Other Approaches Applying Advanced Applications of Designs in Mixed Methods Research Practice Chapter 7: How to Assess Mixed Methods Research? Considering Mixed Methods Research Quality The Role of Quality in the Field of Mixed Methods Research Major Perspectives About Quality for Mixed Methods Research Examples of Quality for Mixed Methods Research Issues and Debates About Quality in Mixed Methods Research Applying Quality in Mixed Methods Research Practice Part III: Contexts That Shape Mixed Methods Research Practice Chapter 8: How Do Personal Contexts Shape Mixed Methods? Considering Philosophical, Theoretical, and Experiential Foundations for Mixed Methods Research The Role of Personal Contexts in the Field of Mixed Methods Research Major Perspectives About Personal Contexts for Mixed Methods Research Stances About Personal Contexts for Mixed Methods Research Issues and Debates About Personal Contexts and Mixed Methods Research Applying Personal Contexts in Mixed Methods Research Practice Chapter 9: How Do Interpersonal Contexts Shape Mixed Methods? Considering Interactions With Research Participants, Teams, and Reviewers in Mixed Methods Research The Role of Interpersonal Contexts in the Field of Mixed Methods Research Major Perspectives About Interpersonal Contexts for Mixed Methods Research Examples of Addressing Interpersonal Contexts in Mixed Methods Research Practice Issues and Debates About Interpersonal Contexts and Mixed Methods Research Applying Interpersonal Contexts in Mixed Methods Research Practice Chapter 10: How Do Social Contexts Shape Mixed Methods? Considering Institutional, Disciplinary, and Societal Influences on Mixed Methods Research The Role of Social Contexts in the Field of Mixed Methods Research Major Perspectives About Social Contexts for Mixed Methods Research Considering the Status of Mixed Methods Research Within Social Contexts Issues and Debates About Social Contexts and Mixed Methods Research Applying Social Contexts in Mixed Methods Research Practice Part IV: Concluding Thoughts Chapter 11: Where Is Mixed Methods Research Headed? Applying the Field in Your Mixed Methods Research Practice Utility of Our Socio-Ecological Framework to Guide Your Mixed Methods Research Practice Applying the Framework: Understanding the Messiness of Mixed Methods Research Applying the Framework: Implementing Your Mixed Methods Research Studies Applying the Framework: Developing Your Expertise in Mixed Methods Research Applying the Framework: Future Developments in Mixed Methods Research

About the Author :
Vicki L. Plano Clark, Ph.D., is professor of research methods in the School of Education at the University of Cincinnati, U.S.A.  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 (2018, coauthored with John W. Creswell) and Mixed Methods Research: A Guide to the Field (2016, coauthored with Nataliya V. Ivankova). She serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Mixed Methods Research and 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 Professors of Educational Research 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.

Review :
"[This text] provides an excellent starting point to engage in the field (and key debates) concerning mixed methods as practice and theory." "I love the perspective that this book takes. It embraces a broad view of the landscape of mixed methods research (MMR) and provides the reader with a ‘one-stop shop’ for operationalizing MMR. I believe it can serve as a ‘field guide’ to the broad and often confusing world of MMR." "I appreciate seeing that the author(s) provided up-to-date and the most cutting-edge references on mixed methods for the reader to seek out, as needed." "I loved the tables and textboxes. They were full of so much information and very useful to reflect on as one reads the narrative." "It is kind of refreshing to see this new theoretical perspective for MMR that goes beyond the acknowledgement that MMR fills a void in the field of methodology as following or being viewed only from the philosophical lens of pragmatism…Their content…represents yet another viable theoretical perspective beyond pragmatism"