Mixed Methods Approaches
In the text, we suggested waiting to design a mixed methods study until you are more familiar with
research, and have more than a semester to complete a project. That said, we did want to provide you
with a web table to help guide you. This table demonstrates several ways in which qualitative and
quantitative methods can be combined in a single study. You will notice the main considerations are (a)
if one approach is dominant, (b) if both approaches carry equal weight in a study, and (c) the sequencing
of each approach.
Web Table 2.1
Selected Types of Mixed Methods Approaches
Type Notation Description
Quantitative QUAN, qual Primarily quantitative study, but uses some qualitative data
Dominant collection. Typically useful for better understanding some of
the quantitative findings. For example, some open-ended
questions asked as part of a primarily closed-ended survey.
Data collected at the same time.
Qualitative QUAL, quan Primarily qualitative study, but uses some quantitative data
Dominant collection. Typically useful for testing some of the
qualitative findings. For example, quantifying some of the
qualitative themes to determine which themes were
mentioned more frequently. Data collected at the same time.
Triangulation QUAN Data inform one another. Data collected at the same time.
Convergent Compare
QUAL
Exploratory QUAN + QUAL Data collected with one method first and then the second
Sequential method next. Both data sets used equally.
Exploratory QUAL + QUAN Data collected with one method first and then the second
Sequential method next. Both data sets used equally.
Embedded QUAN (qual) Qualitative study embedded in a primarily quantitative study.
The embedded study data collection can occur at any phase
of the research.
Embedded QUAL (quan) Quantitative study embedded in a primarily qualitative study.
The embedded study data collection can occur at any phase
of the research.