ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the relation of the information produced by a tool to the analyses it can support. This includes how the same data may be transformed to perform different measurement functions that are often complementary in a mixed-methods approach. Concluding comments on policy research methodology notes the increased attention to mixed methods as a recognized and credible methodological perspective in social science. The discussion acknowledges the value of this increased attention to the eclectic and pragmatic use of multiple methods that has long been standard practice in policy research. Mixing methods as required for correspondence to the reality of the study setting is an overarching requirement of useful policy research. Policy research reports often cite focus groups as a data collection method. The argument drew heavily on an emerging methodological perspective called critical multiplism. Critical multiplism makes the point that simply using multiple methods does not necessarily improve an argument.
