Demystifying Mixed Methods Research Design: A Review of the Literature

Accepted: 09.07..2013 Mixed methods research evolved in response to the observed limitations of both quantitative and qualitative designs and is a more complex method. The purpose of this paper was to examine mixed methods research in an attempt to demystify the design thereby allowing those less familiar with its design an opportunity to utilize it in future research. A review of the literature revealed that it has been gaining acceptance among researchers, researchers have begun using mixed methods research, it has the potential to offer more robust research, researchers are encouraged to outline clearly the reason(s) for using mixed methods design, and it is a more complex research design. Mixed methods research has become a valid alternative to either quantitative or qualitative research designs. It offers richer insights into the phenomenon being studied and allows the capture of information that might be missed by utilizing only one research design, enhances the body of knowledge, and generates more questions of interest for future studies that can handle a wider range of research questions because the researcher is not limited to one research design. Researchers will need to be knowledgeable in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods designs.