What does the term "mixed methods" imply in research design?

The term "mixed methods" in research design refers to the integration of qualitative and quantitative research methods. This approach combines the strengths of both methodologies to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a research problem. Qualitative methods allow for depth and exploration of participants' experiences, providing context and meaning behind the data, while quantitative methods offer statistical analysis and generalizability through numerical data.

Using mixed methods enables researchers to triangulate their findings; this means confirming results from one method using another, leading to richer insights and more robust conclusions. For example, a researcher might conduct interviews (qualitative) to explore participants’ attitudes and then administer a survey (quantitative) to measure the prevalence of those attitudes in a larger population.

This integration is particularly useful in social sciences and health research, where understanding human behavior and experiences is essential. Employing only qualitative or solely quantitative methods would limit the ability to capture the complexity of the research subject. Thus, mixed methods stand out as a valuable approach to producing well-rounded and meaningful research outcomes.