Abstract
The prominent mixed methods author Donna Mertens frames this book around the essential point: Mixed methods should be integrative and in so doing calls for greater attention to the requisite integration of qualitative and quantitative research. What distinguishes this book from others is that Mertens provides practical guidance for mixed methods researchers to recognize and apply understandings of their philosophical orientations to planning and implementing their studies. We suggest researchers can benefit from consulting this book early in their planning process because of its usefulness for shaping the overall design logic and data procedures essential for realizing the requisite integration.
In orienting the reader to this book, Mertens continues her longstanding advocacy for recognizing the value of mixed methods for addressing complex research inquiries, saying “Mixed methods research is an expanding area of interest for researchers across many disciplines because researchers face many complex problems that challenge understanding and, at time, seem to defy solutions” (p. 1). Throughout the book, Mertens emphasizes that mixed methods research serves to capture the layered and complex aspects of phenomena of interest in a way that provides a foundation to identify key solutions and pathways toward change. Mertens foreshadows discussions of paradigm and integration as shaping new directions for mixed methods research to “address increasingly complex programs of research in ways that might even lead to improving and changing current practice and social dilemmas” (p. ix).
Summary of Contents
Part 1: Definition of Mixed Methods and its Emergence as a Methodological Approach
Mertens traces the origins and early history of mixed methods research weaving in first-hand mixed methods scholar accounts. These engaging accounts offer researchers novel access to insights of the early drivers that shaped developments within the field of mixed methods. It will be interesting to see how these insights are taken up and used to inform further developments of the practices necessary to navigate conditions of greater complexity. Mertens transitions to the second part by describing how the assumptions underpinning selected paradigms (see below) shape a complex framework that guides the methodological thinking and choices of mixed methods researchers.
Part 2: Evolving Paradigms in Mixed Methods: Case Studies
Mertens highlights the ways in which mixed methods research can be designed from different orientations using Post-positive, Constructivist, Pragmatic, Transformative, Indigenous paradigms in addition to the meta-paradigm Dialectical Pluralism. Importantly, Mertens avoids prejudicing researchers to any of the paradigms. For each orientation, Mertens defines and explains, using examples, the influence of paradigm choice on designs, data procedures, and interpretations. Mertens’ use of multiple illustrative case studies helps walk the reader through the intricacies and possibilities for each paradigm. Each case offers a background and design description including how integration was achieved and Mertens’ own reflection on how the researcher used mixed methods to address their complex research questions. We were pleased to see the collection of cases reflects diversity in geography, discipline, and participants. A key contribution to the ongoing discussion of paradigms within the field of mixed methods involves her collection of summary tables offering the pros and cons for each orientation.
Part 3: Becoming a Mixed Methods Researcher
Mertens dedicates this part of the book to the underdiscussed area of how one can become a mixed method researcher. In particular she begins by describing training challenges for preparing mixed methods researchers across different disciplines where orientations may provide few other options. She situates the changing training landscape first with interviews with key informants, and then describes key events including essential guidance published by funding agencies. Mertens offers helpful suggestions for researchers seeking to build their mixed methods capacity. The discussion shifts from building individual mixed methods research capacity to communities and in particular highlights the usefulness of the transformative paradigm with examples. She reminds the reader of the challenges and in offering strategies, and she describes the capacity building benefits of design intersections with community-based participatory research approaches.
Part 4: The Future of Mixed Methods: Challenges and Innovations in Diverse Contexts
Mertens emphasizes the potential of mixed methods research to promote diverse thinking and methodological innovations for tackling grand global challenges. She revisits the importance of gaining familiarity with the numerous applications of paradigms in mixed methods research. Mertens brings attention to the influence of Indigenous knowledge and communities and encourages others to incorporate the Indigenous paradigms in their mixed methods research. We found the discussion highlighting as the hallmark of Indigenous paradigms the importance of forming relationships and including different voices. The links to research ethics were also helpful to guide our thinking about unique implications to mixed methods research.
Contributions to the Field
Mertens’ focus on delving deeply into philosophical orientations and practical guidance for making explicit decisions shaped by one’s chosen paradigm is commendable and fills a practical need for guidance. Perhaps not surprising given the book format, some of the discussion of the many ideas covered in this book were too brief in our view, for example, an expanded discussion about innovations could be helpful for more advanced researchers as could the use of online data collection in mixed methods research. A common thread across the book sections is that mixed methods research serves to capture the layered and complex aspects of a phenomenon of interest yet the ease of transitions for the reader across some of the ideas was, at times, uneven.
Conclusion
This newest installment of the Bloomsbury Research Methods series (Editors Mark Elliot and Jessica Nina Lester) meets its aim to provide a concise and accessible introduction to the field of mixed methods research and its current issues within a rapidly changing landscape which can be challenging to keep pace with. We believe researchers will benefit from Mertens’ practical guidance making explicit the expectation that mixed methods be integrative, the influence paradigms have on mixed methods research decisions, and the role of reflection in advancing practice.
