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The Mixed Methods Reader
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The Mixed Methods Reader

Edited by:


December 2007 | 640 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

"It premieres the most adept researchers in the field who have bravely and soundly followed mixed methodology approaches."
—NACADA (National ACademic ADvising Association)

In recent years, researchers have begun to combine quantitative and qualitative approaches within single study research designs. As such, the literature on mixed methods research has grown at a rapid pace. While more methodological books addressing mixed methods are becoming available, the foundational writings of this field are still scattered across diverse disciplines and their wide range of publications outlets, leaving students and researchers at a disadvantage to find the exemplary or model studies to help them understand how to conduct their own mixed methods research.

In light of the dispersed nature of the mixed methods literature, The Mixed Methods Reader editors have organized a collection of key methodological mixed methods discussions and exemplar mixed methods research studies in one easy-to-access location. This integrative collection draws from the international literature appearing across diverse research disciplines over the past thirty years. The Mixed Methods Reader is divided into two parts: Part I – Methodological Selections and Part II – Exemplar Research Studies. Part I includes a collection of 14 foundational writings from the mixed methods research literature. These readings convey the overall development and evolution of mixed methods research and address essential topics for researchers new to the field of mixed methods research. These topics include its foundations; design types; implementation issues such as sampling, data analysis, and validity; rhetorical devices for reporting mixed methods studies; and critiques about the current thinking in the field. Part II includes 9 exemplar mixed methods research studies drawn from a range of disciplines and international scholars. The studies were intentionally selected to illustrate four major types of mixed methods designs. As with the methodological chapters, the editors organize the exemplar research studies so that the reader can see a natural progression of the different approaches to conducting mixed methods research.

The Mixed Methods Reader, edited by two leading researchers in mixed methods research, offers students and researchers a rich balance of foundational works and exemplary studies across a range of disciplines. This reader is an invaluable primary or supplementary resource for courses that address mixed methods research.

Key Features:

  • Each of the 14 foundational readings offers a brief introduction by the editors, discussing the reading's overall importance to mixed methods research and explaining what aspect of the research process is addressed.
  • The foundational readings are organized around the research process to facilitate its use as a text or supplement for research courses emphasizing mixed methods approaches. They cover research design types and purposes, data collection, data analysis, reporting of mixed methods studies, and future directions.
  • Each of the 9 exemplary studies include a brief commentary from the editors, highlighting the noteworthy features of the article. These exemplary studies range in discipline and setting yet focus intently on the research process and the various ways of conducting mixed methods studies.
  • Visual diagrams accompany each exemplary study: These visual diagrams will convey the overall structure and approach used in each of the studies.
  • Discussion questions accompanying each selection further call attention to the key points and help a student or individual researcher to tie together the core concepts presented in the commentaries and articles.

 
List of Editor's Introduction Figures
 
Introduction
 
Part I. Methodological Selections
 
Chapter 1. The Evolution of Mixed Methods Research
 
Chapter 2. Pragmatism as a Philosophical Foundation for Mixed Methods Research
 
Chapter 3. The Transformative-Emancipatory Perspective as a Philosophical Foundation for Mixed Methods Research
 
Chapter 4. Triangulation as the First Mixed Methods Design
 
Chapter 5. Identifying the Purposes for Mixed Methods Designs
 
Chapter 6. A Notation System for Mixed Methods Designs
 
Chapter 7. An Expanded Typology for Classifying Mixed Methods Research Into Designs
 
Chapter 8. Different Sampling Techniques for Mixed Methods Studies
 
Chapter 9. Data Analysis Strategies in Mixed Methods Research
 
Chapter 10. Expanding the Reasons for Conducting Mixed Methods Research
 
Chapter 11. Types of Legitimation (Validity) in Mixed Methods Research
 
Chapter 12. Powerful Rhetorical Devices Used in Writing Mixed Methods Research
 
Chapter 13. An Improved Role for Qualitative Research in Mixed Methods
 
Chapter 14. An Alternative to Reconciling the Different Realities of Qualitative and Quantitative Research
 
Part II. Exemplar Research Studies
 
Chapter 15. A Concurrent/Triangulation Mixed Methods Design With Merged Results
 
Chapter 16. A Concurrent/Triangulation Mixed Methods Design With Data Transformation
 
Chapter 17. An Embedded Experimental Before-Intervention Mixed Methods Design
 
Chapter 18. An Embedded Experimental During-Intervention Mixed Methods Design
 
Chapter 19. An Embedded Experimental After-Intervention Mixed Methods Design
 
Chapter 20. A Sequential Explanatory Mixed Methods Design to Explain Findings
 
Chapter 21. A Sequential Explanatory Mixed Methods Design With Participant Selection
 
Chapter 22. A Sequential Exploratory Mixed Methods Design With Instrument Development
 
Chapter 23. A Sequential Exploratory Mixed Methods Design to Generate and Test a Model
 
References Cited in the Editors' Introductions
 
Index

"It premieres the most adept researchers in the field who have bravely and soundly followed mixed methodology approaches."

Heather T. Zeng
NACADA

"Excellent book for students gaining a masters or doctorial degree."

Gineida Morales-Guasch, Ed.D.
University of Puerto Rico

Gives very good insight into the use and understanding of the mixed methods approach

Mr Emmanuel Asante
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Nottingham University
March 1, 2016

A very comprehensive book that addresses all aspects of mixed methods. It offers practical step-by-step guidance along with considerations that must be addressed when implementing a mixed method approach to your research. The authors experience of incorporating such approaches to their own researcher and the lessons that they have learned is invaluable. For doctorial students and established researchers alike, it is an excellent point of reference (and reflection!). However, for some studying at degree level, they may find the information offered in the book a little too much and difficult to separate. Nonetheless, this is an excellent addition to the cache of mixed methods literature.

Mr Shane Neville Payne
Engineering, Leicester College
September 14, 2015

This edition can provide my students with a very good guide in the topical areas of Mixed Methods Research.

Dr Nii Amoo
Faculty of Business and Law, Leeds Beckett University
December 7, 2015

Already one very similar on different module

Mrs Julie donald
WBDL, Universityof Lincoln
November 30, 2015

One of the must read mixed methods books available. I especially like how the authors reference key readings in the content sections. Especially the chapters on pragmatism, triangulation, purposes, design also the entire PART II are must read. I find chapter 9 a little bit weak as it can be further supported by readings such as Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Teddlie, C. (2003). A framework for analyzing data in mixed methods research. In A. Tashakkori & C. Teddlie (Eds.), Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioral research (pp. 351–383). Thousand Oaks, CA: sage.
Li, S., Marquart, J. M., & Zercher, C. (2000). Conceptual Issues and Analytic Strategies in Mixed-Method Studies of Preschool Inclusion. Journal of Early Intervention, 23(2), 116–132. doi:10.1177/105381510002300206

Overall, it is a great book that introduces you to mixed methods research.

Dr Bahadir Namdar
Primary Education/ Science Education Program, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University
June 18, 2015

This reader is a helpful start for those finding their way with mixed methods research.

Dr Caroline Bradbury-Jones
School of Health Sciences, Birmingham University
October 1, 2015

Not as detailed as Creswell/Plano Clark book but will use perhaps in future classes.

Dr Lisa Carvallo
Online Teaching Dept, Morgan State University
March 31, 2013

Excellent text that provide a detailed overview of the research philosophy and approaches mixed methods

Ms Lisa Lewy
Health School, Service Improvement and Development, Bradford University
March 12, 2013
Key features
    • Each of 10 foundational readings offers a brief introduction by the editors, discussing the reading's overall importance to mixed methods research and explaining what aspect of the research process is addressed.
    • The foundational readings are organized around the research process to facilitate its use as a text or supplement for research courses emphasizing mixed methods approaches. They cover research design types and purposes, data collection, data analysis, reporting of mixed methods studies, and future directions. 
    • Each of 8 exemplary studies include a brief commentary from the editors, highlighting the noteworthy features of the article. These exemplary studies range in discipline and setting yet focus intently on the research process and the various ways of conducting mixed methods studies. 
    • Visual diagrams accompany each exemplary study: These visual diagrams will convey the overall structure and approach used in each of the studies.
    • Discussion questions at the end of each exemplary article further call attention to the key points that a student or individual researcher tie together the core concepts presented in the commentaries and articles.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1

Chapter 7

Chapter 19


For instructors

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