Mixed methods research is basically defined as the class of research where the researcher mixes or combines quantitative and qualitative research techniques, methods, approaches, concepts or language into a single study.some of the important Characteristics Of Mixed Methods Research are summarized as

1. A combination of qualitative and quantitative data analysis.

2. In response to the study topic, the collection of both open-ended and closed-ended data (qualitative and quantitative data).

3. Persuasive and rigorous qualitative and quantitative methodological procedures.

4. Bringing these two data sources together (by merging, connecting, embedding).

5. Using a specific mixed methods design with concurrent or sequential integration.

6. A philosophically based research methodology.

Quantitative methods are based on numbers to claim objectivity whereas, qualitative methods generate theories or explore a certain real-life phenomenon relying on subjectivity. When you use only quantitative approaches, it is difficult to capture the understanding of contexts, perspectives, and cultural influences in a real-life phenomenon. To overcome this issue mixed-method approach employs quantitative research to assess the magnitude of the problem and qualitative research to explore the meaning and understanding of the construct and the

context.

From what I read, the sequential method is the most popular.

- when you select a parallel or concurrent design you plan quantitative and qualitative data collection from the beginning.

- In sequential design research that may begin by a qualitative exploration

followed by a quantitative follow-up or by a quantitative analysis which is explained through a qualitative follow-up.

Hope this helps.

Does not matter if they are done sequentially or parallel as long as your respondents are available, then you can collect data. Sometimes parallel data collection saves time as well.

Advantages of mixed methods are many, but some key ones listed below-

- deeper data analysis and results

- you can get both deductive and inductive results/reasoning

- studies can have double validation

- more areas for publications with two data sets

- more reliable results due to two methods/datasets

- great for model building

I recommend Creswell and Plano-Clark's introductory textbook as a way to get started in mixed methods. Once you have some background, Fetters' Mixed Methods Research Workbook would be a useful follow-up.

A major difference between sequential and parallel mixed methods its that the techniques for integrating the results from the two methods are more straight forward with sequential designs. In contrast, you need to be careful to build an integration strategy into parallel designs, right from the start.

Thank you very much for kind replies, All answers very informative & increased knowledge about Mix Methodology. Hope you will guide in future.

This attached article is very informative.

Thank You

A key feature of mixed methods research (MMR) is that it combines both quantitative and qualitative components in a single study. MMR could be convergent parallel, explanatory sequential, exploratory sequential, embedded, transformative, or multiphase, depending on a study purpose and objectives. You could check out the reference items below for recent insights and guides on MMR.

Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). SAGE. https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/designing-and-conducting-mixed-methods-research/book241842

Fetters, M. D. (2020). The mixed methods research workbook: Activities for designing, implementing, and publishing projects. SAGE. https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/the-mixed-methods-research-workbook/book258264

Hesse-Biber, S. N., & Johnson, R. B. (Eds.). (2015). The oxford handbook of multimethod and mixed methods research inquiry (1st ed.). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199933624.001.0001

Tashakkori, A., Johnson, B., & Teddlie, C. (2021). Foundations of mixed methods research: Integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches in the social and behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/foundations-of-mixed-methods-research/book252072

Watkins, D., & Gioia, D. (2015). Mixed methods research. Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/mixed-methods--research-9780199747450?cc=us&lang=en&

Good luck,

@Muhammad in addition to suggestions given by peers, below link and attached files would help you understand Mixed Methods Research design.

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-35879-1_5

I enjoyed reading through this thread. It has provided me with great resources for my research with regards to mixed-methods approach

In a mixed method one could do exploration first with Personal interview.This method will give you some new variables which are not present in past studies.THen you so a causal study by using the SEM where you have these new and old variables.This way you can add to the theory of the past literature too.

There is not a better one.The use of any mix method underlies on the research question, and you should explain the reason for its use within the study.

What is the difference between mixed methods and multi-method research?

Can mixed methods not also refer to a mix of qualitative aporoaches?

Multi-method research, is when two or more research projects are conducted, each complete in itself, to address research questions and/or hypotheses ortopic. As with mixed methods, the studies may be a combination of quantitative methods, qualitative methods, or both.

But respected researchers can guide more bettter.

According to my understanding its depends on your research objective.

According to the editors of the Journal of Mixed Methods Research (2017), "Multiple methods research refers to all the various combinations of methods that include in a substantive way more than one data collection procedure. Multiple methods research can include two or more exclusively qualitative approaches," In contrast, mixed methods involves "using both qualitative and quantitative approaches or methods in a single study or a program of inquiry.’’

There are four major types of mixed methods designs Triangulation Design, the Embedded Design, the Explanatory Design, and the Exploratory Design. David L Morgan can you please explain the differences among them. In which method sequential and parallel comes?

I am not sure where you got this list. Explanatory and the Exploratory are the two form of sequential design. Triangulation is an older term that is no longer recommended by the Journal of Mixed Methods Research because it has too many different designs. And embedded designs were promoted by Creswell, but they almost always turn out to be Explanatory sequential designs.

That leaves what are sometimes known as "parallel convergent" designs. In that case, the qualitative and quantitative strands operate separately (in parallel) during the data collection, and are then integrated (convergence) during the data analysis phase.

The six major types of mixed methods research designs are summarized visually in Figure 3.2 (see the attachment) in Creswell and Plano Clark's (2011) second-edition book, fully cited below.

Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Best,

As of my minimal understanding mixed methodology in a research is usage of methods in in a research which is combination of qualitative and quantative. It creates a balance between objectiveness and subjectiveness of the research. This balance need to be made as par the demand of the discipline or the subject and the research topic.

Depend on goals/objective development or questions answering of a research and nature of the data required.it is a strong strategy in research method.