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Innovation in Mixed Methods Research
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Innovation in Mixed Methods Research
A Practical Guide to Integrative Thinking with Complexity

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December 2018 | 384 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

Winner of the 2020 Most Promising New Textbook Award from the Textbook & Academic Authors Association.

Explaining both why and how to use mixed methods for discovering solutions to complex research problems, this guide gives readers the tools to adapt approaches to suit their own research conditions. Written in a warm, encouraging tone and packed with helpful diagrams and visual organizers, it provides an easy-to-follow map to the mixed methods process, covering everything from ‘what is mixed methods research?’ to framing, integrating, and describing a complexity-sensitive mixed methods approach.

Features include:

  • Key questions to navigate the important concepts of each chapter
  • Practice alerts to provide practical tips on working in the field
  • Chapter check-ins to assess development of key skills
  • Further reading to expand and deepen knowledge of mixed methods practices
  • An annotated glossary to get to grips with foundational terms and revise for exams

Supported throughout by real-world examples and advice from the author and other mixed methods experts, this book helps readers succeed in their projects and think innovatively about the methods they use. 


 
Part I: Getting Started with Essential Foundations
 
Chapter 1: Embracing Complexity in Mixed Methods Research
Purpose and Need for the Book

 
Positioning Myself

 
Defining Conditions of Complexity and Innovations for Practice

 
Audiences for the Book

 
Organization and Learning Features

 
Selection of Six Featured Mixed Methods Studies

 
 
Chapter 2: Positioning Demand for Innovation in Complex Mixed Methods Research
Why Use Mixed Methods Research?

 
What Distinguishes Mixed Methods Research?

 
Key Practice Dilemmas Under Highly Complex Conditions

 
Demand for Innovations and Innovators in Mixed Methods Research

 
Survey of Six Featured Mixed Methods Studies

 
 
Chapter 3: Advancing Integrative Thinking with Complexity in Mixed Methods Research
Why Integrative Thinking with Complexity in Mixed Methods Research?

 
Examples of Complex Adaptive Systems Under Study

 
Opportunities Afforded by Complexity Science for Mixed Methods Researchers

 
Indicators of Integrative Thinking with Complexity in Mixed Methods Research

 
Indicators of Six Featured Mixed Methods Studies

 
Guiding Practices for Integrative Thinking with Complexity in Mixed Methods Research

 
 
Part II: Realizing Innovation in Guiding Practices
 
Chapter 4: Diagnosing Complexity of Mixed Methods Research Conditions
Why Diagnose Complexity of Mixed Methods Research Conditions?

 
Diagnosing Opportunities and Hazards for Mixed Methods Researchers

 
Guiding Procedures for Diagnosing Five Complexity Dimensions of Research Conditions

 
Features that Engage Readers with Research Conditions

 
Innovations in Diagnosing Complexity of Mixed Methods Research Conditions

 
 
Chapter 5: Framing Intentions of Complex Mixed Methods Research Problems
Why Frame Intentions of Complex Mixed Methods Research Problems?

 
Framing Opportunities and Hazards for Mixed Methods Researchers

 
An Iterative Process for Framing Complex Mixed Methods Research Problems

 
Features that Engage Readers with Complex Research Problems

 
Innovations in Framing Complex Mixed Methods Research Problems

 
 
Chapter 6: Defining Systems of Complex Mixed Methods Research Contexts
Why Define Systems of Complex Mixed Methods Research Contexts?

 
Defining Opportunities and Hazards for Mixed Methods Researchers

 
Relational Systems Approach to Defining Complex Mixed Methods Research Contexts

 
Features that Engage Readers with Complex Research Contexts

 
Innovations in Defining Complex Mixed Methods Research Contexts

 
 
Chapter 7: Describing Designs of Complex Mixed Methods Research Integrations
Why Describe Designs of Complex Mixed Methods Research Integrations?

 
Describing Opportunities and Hazards for Mixed Methods Researchers

 
A Descriptive Design Approach for Complex Mixed Methods Research Integrations

 
Features that Engage Readers with Complex Mixed Methods Research Integrations

 
Innovations in Describing Complex Mixed Methods Research Integrations

 
 
Chapter 8: Developing Capacity for Complex Mixed Methods Research Interactions
Why Develop Capacity in Complex Mixed Methods Research Interactions?

 
Developing Opportunities and Hazards for Mixed Methods Researchers

 
A Strategy for Developing Complex Mixed Methods Research Interactions

 
Features that Engage Readers with Complex Mixed Methods Research Interactions

 
Innovations in Developing Complex Mixed Methods Research Interactions

 
 
Chapter 9: Generating Evidence of Complex Mixed Methods Research Outcomes
Why Generate Evidence of Complex Mixed Methods Research Outcomes?

 
Generating Opportunities and Hazards for Mixed Methods Researchers

 
A Generative Evidence Approach for Complex Mixed Methods Research Outcome

 
Features that Engage Readers with Complex Mixed Methods Research Outcomes

 
Innovations in Generating Evidence of Complex Mixed Methods Research Outcomes

 
 
Part III: Onward Considerations for Adaptive Practices
 
Chapter 10: Realizing Complexity-Sensitive Mixed Methods Research
The Case for Complexity-Sensitive Mixed Methods Research

 
Potential Challenges for Complexity-Sensitive Mixed Methods Researchers

 
Some Final Guiding Words

 

This text tackles the challenges of designing and undertaking research that is not suited to traditional, tried and tested methods. By exploring why innovative methods are a necessity for studying the complex world we live in, and considering the potential capacity and scope of these, the author encourages researchers to push the boundaries mixed methods research. An insightful and timely text for research in the social sciences.

Dr Louise Campbell
School of Education & Social Work, Dundee University
May 7, 2019

I have welcomed this book as a strong support to help my students experience and understand that methods are not used against one another but together in order to get rich and enriching results from a broad research. They can hence become fully skilled researchers, grounded into the methods of the 21st century and enjoying the flexibility allowed by the use of mixed methods.

Mrs FRANCOISE Passerard
Marketing, Paris School of Business
December 12, 2019

Using this book as a handbook to prepare lectures and use it as a recommended text for research methodology .

Ms Therese Camilleri
Education, University of Malta
November 10, 2019

Good overall book enable students to follow the different methods of research

Patsy Morgan
Faculty of Business, Sport & Enterprise, Southampton Solent University
December 26, 2018

This is not a text I would necessarily recommend to every student, but for those keen to work with mixed methods. requiring complex skills base, I would refer them here. Very practical insights given.

Dr Bex Lewis
MMU Business School, Manchester Metropolitan University
September 10, 2019

A clearly presented publication enabling students to follow a mixed methods approach in their research study.

This book is an excellent resource to support students in their understanding to develop skills of mixed methods; further developing student knowledge of the steps towards complex mixed method approaches.

Miss Tracey Canham
Health Care and Early Years, Swindon College
August 13, 2019
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Key features
KEY FEATURES:
  • Key questions to navigate the important concepts of each chapter
  • Practice alerts to provide practical tips on working in the field
  • Chapter check-ins to assess development of key skills
  • Further reading to expand and deepen knowledge of mixed methods practices
  • An annotated glossary to get to grips with foundational terms and revise for exams