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Journal of Research in Nursing
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research-article

An overview of mixed methods research

Louise Doyle

School of Nursing & Midwifery Studies, Trinity College Dublin, 24 D’Olier St, Dublin 2, Ireland

Anne-Marie Brady

School of Nursing & Midwifery Studies, Trinity College Dublin, 24 D’Olier St, Dublin 2, Ireland

Gobnait Byrne

School of Nursing & Midwifery Studies, Trinity College Dublin, 24 D’Olier St, Dublin 2, Ireland

Abstract

Mixed methods research is viewed as the third methodological movement and as an approach it has much to offer health and social science research. Its emergence was in response to the limitations of the sole use of quantitative or qualitative methods and is now considered by many a legitimate alternative to these two traditions. Purists’ view of the dichotomy between positivist and non-positivist philosophies is prevalent; however, mixed methods afford researchers an opportunity to overcome this ‘false dichotomy’. The philosophical underpinning of pragmatism allows and guides mixed methods researchers to use a variety of approaches to answer research questions that cannot be addressed using a singular method. In particular, healthcare researchers may benefit from the opportunity to use such a dynamic approach to address the complex and multi-faceted research problems often encountered in the health care sector.

Key Words: mixed methods • paradigm • pragmatism • qualitative research • quantitative research • typology of mixed methods

Journal of Research in Nursing, Vol. 14, No. 2, 175-185 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1744987108093962
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