Mixed Methods Community

This mixed methods community is an adjunct to the successful International Mixed Methods conference. Its purpose is to be a resource for the dissemination of news, ideas and resources that follow on the interest in the conference.

The acceleration of interest in mixed methods is evident in the number of books and papers being published. Of the 56 journal articles with ‘mixed method’ in the title published since 1990, 64% have been published since 2005. Eleven books on mixed methods research have also been published since 2006 with two more forthcoming.  These publications coincide with the success of the Journal of Mixed Methods Research and with the continued interest in this Mixed Methods Conference.

The knowledge claims, strategies of enquiry and methods of data collection within mixed methods approaches in social and behavioural research is well documented. Whilst it is debateable whether it is a third methodological movement, there is a consensus that its emergence was in response to the limitations of the sole use of quantitative or qualitative methods and is considered by many a legitimate alternative. Disciplines using mixed methods research include sociology, psychology, economics, social policy, education and health. For example, a review of research commissioned by the Department of Health in the UK showed that 17% (n=22) of the studies commissioned before 1995 were mixed methods in comparison to 30% (n=33) funded between 2000 and 2004. Mixed methods has been described as a movement, an emerging concept, an unfolding paradigm debate, a methodology of design possibilities and innovative techniques, which indicates the emergent nature of the methodology and militates against the idea of a fixed 'third way'.