Several Advanced Mixed Methods Designs
Three advanced mixed methods designs incorporate the elements of the convergent,
explanatory sequential, and exploratory sequential approaches. Once one has the
foundation of the three basic approaches, they can be included into more advanced
strategies that add further elements into the overall procedures (see Figure 10.2) (see also
Creswell & Plano Clark, 2011).
The embedded mixed methods design nests one or more forms of data (quantitative or
qualitative or both) within a larger design (e.g., a narrative study, an ethnography, an
experiment). For example, within an experiment, the researcher can collect qualitative data
and collect it during the experiment (convergent) or before the experiment begins
(sequentially) or after the experiment ends (sequentially). It is a popular design within the
health sciences and when investigators test an intervention or program in an applied setting
(e.g., in a school).
A second strategy is to incorporate elements of the convergent, explanatory sequential, or
exploratory sequential approaches within a social justice framework to help a marginalized
group.
This design is call transformative mixed methods, and the researcher uses a social justice
theory as a framework for a mixed methods study. This theory (e.g., feminist, racial) frames
many aspects of the mixed methods study, such as the research problem, the questions, the
data collection and analysis, interpretation, and the call for action. It is popular in studying
marginalized groups in various countries, especially third world countries, throughout the
world and in the United States (e.g., indigenous populations, females, racial and ethnic
groups, disabled individuals).
Finally, another advanced design is the multiphase mixed methods in which researchers
conduct several mixed methods projects, sometimes including mixed methods convergent
or sequential approaches, sometimes including only quantitative or qualitative studies in a
longitudinal study with a focus on a common objective for the multiple projects. This form
of research is popular in the evaluation or program implementation fields in which multiple
phases of the project stretch over time. These projects may go back and forth between
quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies, but they build on each other to
address a common program objective.
Mixed Methods Notation in the Figures
Mixed methods notation provides shorthand labels and symbols that convey important
aspects of mixed methods research, and they provide a way that mixed methods
researchers can easily communicate their procedures (see Table 10.2). Morse (1991) first
developed the notation, and it has been added to by writers such as Tashakkori and Teddlie
(1998) and Plano Clark (2005) who suggest the following:
• QUAL and QUAN capitalization indicates an emphasis or priority on the quantitative or
qualitative data, analysis, and interpretation in the study. In a mixed methods study, the
qualitative and quantitative data may be equally emphasized, or one may be more
emphasized than the other. Capitalization indicates that an approach or method is
emphasized. Lowercase indicates lesser priority or emphasis on the method.
• Quan and Qual stand for quantitative and qualitative, respectively, and they use the same
number of letters to indicate equality between the forms of data.
• A plus sign—+—indicates a convergent or merging integration of data collection—with
both quantitative and qualitative data collected at same time.
• An arrow—→—indicates a sequential form of data collection; one form (e.g., qualitative
data) builds or connects with the other (e.g., quantitative data).
• Parentheses—( )—indicate that one form of data collection is embedded within another
or embedded within a larger design. • Double arrows—→←—mean that the flow of
activities can go both ways.
• Also in the figures we see boxes that highlight important major components of the design
—such as data collection or data analysis.
