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8 - Mixed Methods and Multimethod Research

from Part I - Quantitative Data Collection Sources

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 December 2024

By
Judith Schoonenboom
Edited by
John E. Edlund  and
Austin Lee Nichols
John E. Edlund
Affiliation:
Rochester Institute of Technology, New York
Austin Lee Nichols
Affiliation:
Central European University, Vienna
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Summary

This chapter explains how researchers can design studies that include multiple methods. It starts by defining multiple-methods research as bringing together multiple perspectives at the methodological and other levels to obtain a deeper and more inclusive understanding of a phenomenon (and, in the end, to make a better-informed decision) than would be possible using one method alone. Using four real-life examples, Part I of the chapter shows the four consecutive steps of multiple-methods design: including multiple perspectives, exploring them, integrating their conclusions, and using this integrated conclusion to make a decision in practice. Part II shows that multiple-methods research is emergent and discusses the most important of these emergent elements: emerging aspects, focusing, searching for explanations, emerging data, and emerging subgroups. Part III discusses concepts that are relevant to combining qualitative and quantitative data sets: meaningful connections, purposes of mixing, theoretical drive, timing, and fully integrated research designs. The chapter concludes with recommendations for research with multiple methods.

Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Research Methods and Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences
Volume 2: Performing Research
 , pp. 163 - 186
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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References

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