ABSTRACT
Sometimes referred to as "the third methodological movement," mixed methods research combines qualitative and quantitative research techniques in one project. Mixed methods research takes this logic one step further. Instead of simply including a review of both types of research in the reporting of problem, mixed methods includes at least one qualitative and one quantitative component of original research in the study design. Mixed methods designs are still greeted with some skepticism. First, conducting a project that has multiple, a diverse type of data collection requires mastery of both qualitative and quantitative analysis skills. Other examples are when a second method can greatly enhance the first method, or a theoretical stance needs to be employed. Mixed methods studies may be fixed, which is when a mixed methods design is used from the start, or emergent, which is when the need for both types of data is discovered after work is in progress.
