Journal of Mixed Methods Research
Mixed Methods Research | Quantitative/Statistical Research | Research Methods & Evaluation
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Visit http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jmmr
For details about developing and including critical elements of publishable manuscripts in the Journal of Mixed Methods Research (JMMR), please read this editorial. Submitting authors are encouraged also to review and include with their submission a checklist of elements found in successful articles.
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Mixed methods research is defined as research in which the investigator collects and analyzes data, integrates the findings, and draws inferences using both qualitative and quantitative approaches or methods in a single study or program of inquiry.
The JMMR is an innovative, quarterly, international publication that focuses on empirical methodological articles, methodological/theoretical articles, research notes and commentaries about mixed methods research across the social, behavioral, health, and human sciences.
Article types published include:
- Original mixed methods research that fits the definition of mixed methods research; explicitly integrates quantitative and qualitative dimensions of the study; makes a novel methodological contribution to mixed methods research; and adds to a substantive area in the scholar’s field of inquiry
- Methodological/theoretical topics that advance knowledge about mixed methods research and integration, such as mixed methods research/evaluation questions, types of designs, sampling and/or measurement procedures, approaches to data analysis, drawing metainferences, theory, validity/research integrity, software applications, paradigm stances, writing approaches, and value and use of mixed methods research
- Prevalence studies that are a type of methodological manuscript which systematically examine the adoption and use of mixed methods research
- Research Notes that are brief articles with a focus on a specific or narrowly framed concept, methodological innovation or application
- Commentaries that provide an alternative interpretation, application, or expansion of ideas raised previously in a JMMR original article and will entail a response from the index author(s)
- Media Reviews that critically evaluate the content, quality, and value of textbooks, software, or other media, such as websites, companion material, and video series
- Special Issues that are a group of articles focused on a specific topic about mixed methods research and are led and managed by one or more guest editors
- Virtual Special Issues that have assembled previously published JMMR articles and editorials are listed online together about a particular theme of relevance to mixed methods research such as the inaugural virtual special issue on paradigms.
The Journal of Mixed Methods Research's scope includes
- Exploring terminology and nomenclature used in mixed methods research
- Providing a forum for discussion of parameters effecting mixed methods research
- Creating and interpreting paradigmatic and philosophical foundations for mixed methods research
- Illuminating theory, design, procedural, and analysis issues
- Determining the logistics of conducting mixed methods research
- Investigating approaches for integration in multiple dimensions of mixed methods research
EDITORIAL BOARD
The editorial board consists of distinguished international researchers in the social, behavioral, health, and human sciences with expertise in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research. Editorial board members' names and affiliations are found under the Editorial Board link.
The JMMR is a premiere outlet for ground-breaking and seminal work in the field of mixed methods research, as well as a primary forum for the growing community of international and multidisciplinary scholars of mixed methods research.
The Journal of Mixed Methods Research (JMMR) serves as a premiere outlet for ground-breaking and seminal work in the field of mixed methods research. Of primary importance is building an international and multidisciplinary community of mixed methods researchers. The journal's scope includes developing and exploring the dimensions of integration in mixed methods research, generating a global terminology and nomenclature for mixed methods research, delineating where mixed methods research may be used most effectively, creating the paradigmatic and philosophical foundations for mixed methods research, illuminating design and procedure issues, and determining the logistics of conducting mixed methods research. The journal features articles from a wide variety of international perspectives, including academics and practitioners from psychology, sociology, education, evaluation, health sciences, geography, communication, management, family studies, marketing, social work, and other related disciplines across the social, behavioral, health, arts and human sciences.
Submission types:
- Original mixed methods research manuscripts in the social, behavioral, health, arts and human sciences that:
- identify and support with a substantive literature review a unique contribution to mixed methods research;
- fit the definition of mixed methods research by collecting and analyzing data, integrating the findings, and drawing inferences using both qualitative and quantitative approaches or methods;
- provide a design figure of the mixed methods procedures;
- explicitly integrate the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the study;
- delineate how the study makes a contribution to a substantive area in the scholar’s field of inquiry; and
- discuss explicitly how the research makes a novel contribution to literature on mixed methods research.
Original research manuscripts that do not articulate a specific methodological purpose, or fail to show integration and discuss a novel contribution to the mixed methods literature will be returned to the author(s).
- Methodological / theoretical research manuscripts that advance knowledge about mixed methods research, such as:
- Types of research/evaluation questions
- Types of designs
- Sampling and/or measurement procedures
- Approaches to data analysis and drawing metainferences
- Validity and research integrity
- Software applications
- Paradigm stance
- Writing approaches
- The value and use of mixed methods research
- Theoretical lenses
- Cultural issues
- Ethical issues
- Quality in mixed methods research
- Prevalence studies (see below)
Methodological/theoretical manuscripts that do not articulate a specific methodological purpose, or fail to review relevant literature and discuss a novel contribution to the mixed methods literature will be returned to the author(s).
- Mixed methods research prevalence manuscripts that are a type of methodological manuscript which systematically examines the adoption and use of mixed methods research and:
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specify a methodological aim and define how the chosen disciplinary focus addresses that aim;
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conduct a rigorous literature review to identify the MMR literature relevant to the MMR prevalence study
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present findings in a format that illustrates the methodological issues;
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interpret the value of the prevalence study in the field of the authors and reflect about how it advances understanding about MMR methodology.
- Research notes manuscripts developed with a focus on a specific concept of methodological innovation relevant to mixed methods research that:
- follow the structure of an original mixed methods research or methodological/theoretical paper;
- articulate a methodological gap, need or challenge faced in using mixed methods research;
- review succinctly literature relevant to the methodological gap, need or challenge;
- provide a brief review of the substantive topic content sufficiently to illustrate the methodological context; and
- illustrate the innovation through examples and rhetoric.
Research notes manuscripts that do not articulate a specific methodological purpose, or fail to review relevant literature and discuss a novel contribution to the mixed methods literature will be returned to the author(s).
- Commentaries authored in response to recently published articles in the JMMR that provide an alternative interpretation, application, or expansion of ideas raised previously in an original article
- Media reviews that critically evaluate the content, quality, and value of textbooks, software, or other media, such as websites, companion material, and video series that are of interest to mixed methods researchers
- Special issues that comprise a group of articles focused on a specific topic about mixed methods research that are typically led and managed by one or more guest editors in consultation with the editors
- Virtual Special Issues that are a group of related and previously published JMMR articles and editorials that have been assembled and listed online together about a particular theme of relevance to mixed methods research, e.g., the inaugural virtual special issue on paradigms.
This journal is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
| Timothy C. Guetterman | University of Michigan, USA |
| José F. Molina-Azorin | Department of Management, University of Alicante, Spain |
| Mandy M. Archibald | University of Manitoba, Canada |
| Sergi Fàbregues | Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Spain |
| Nataliya V. Ivankova | The University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA |
| Tyler G. James | University of Michigan, USA |
| Vicki L. Plano Clark | University of Cincinnati, OH, USA |
| Cheryl Poth | University of Alberta, Canada |
| Judith Schoonenboom | University of Vienna, Austria |
| Peggy Shannon-Baker | Georgia Southern University, USA |
| Huso Yi | National Univeristy of Singapore, Singapore |
| Satoko Motohara | University of Michigan, MI, USA |
| Analay Perez | University of Michigan, USA |
| Michael Bamberger | Independent Consultant |
| Patricia Bazeley | Western Sydney University, Australia |
| Gert Biesta | Brunel University London, UK |
| Thomas W. Christ | University of Bridgeport, CT, USA |
| Kathleen M. T. Collins | University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, AR, USA |
| Leslie A. Curry | Yale University, CT, USA |
| Denise O'Neil Green | Ryerson University, Canada |
| Hisako Kakai | Aoyama Gakuin University, Japan |
| Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie | |
| Linda S. Mabry | Washington State University, WA |
| Joseph A. Maxwell | George Mason University, VA |
| Arden M. Morris | Stanford University, USA |
| Katrin Niglas | Tallinn University, Estonia |
| Susan Parnell | Global Challenges Research Professor in the School of Geography at the University of Bristol |
| Michael Quinn Patton | Utilization-Focused Evaluation, Saint Paul, MN |
| Rogério M. Pinto | University of Michigan, MI, USA |
| Pierre Pluye | McGill University, Canada |
| Tonette S. Rocco | Florida International University, USA |
| Charles Teddlie | Louisiana State University, USA |
| Linda Thurston | Kansas State University, KS, USA |
| Jennifer Wisdom | The George Washington University, DC, USA |
| Michael Woolcock | University of Manchester, UK |
| Yuchun Zhou | Ohio University, OH, USA |
| John W. Creswell | Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan |
| Abbas Tashakkori | University of North Texas, USA |
| Manfred Max Bergman | University of Basel, Switzerland |
| Michael D. Fetters | Mixed Methods Program & Family Medicine, University of Michigan, USA |
| Dawn Freshwater | Vice-Chancellor, University of Auckland, New Zealand |
| Donna Mertens | Gallaudet University, USA |
The scope of the Journal of Mixed Methods Research (JMMR) includes developing and exploring the dimensions of integration in mixed methods research, generating a global terminology and nomenclature for mixed methods research, delineating where mixed methods research may be used most effectively, creating the paradigmatic and philosophical foundations for mixed methods research, illuminating design and procedure issues, and determining the logistics of conducting mixed methods research. JMMR uses a double-anonymize review process and manuscripts are generally reviewed by three scholars, at least one of which serves on the JMMR editorial board. The journal aims to have each manuscript go through its initial review within 4 months of receipt.
Submitting the Manuscript
Electronic Submissions
JMMR uses an online submission and review platform. Manuscripts should be submitted electronically to http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jmmr. Authors will be required to set up an online account on the SageTrack system powered by ScholarOne. From their account, a new submission can be initiated. Authors will be asked to provide the required information (author names and contact information, abstract, keywords, etc.). All submitting authors should include their ORCID identification number. The submitting author will upload the "title page" and "main document" separately to ensure that the manuscript is ready for an anonymize review. The site contains links to an online user's guide (Get Help Now) for help navigating the site.
If you have any questions about the submission process please contact:
Satoko Motohara
Managing Editor
Email: jmmr-managingeditor@umich.edu
Authors who need to publish their articles via open access due to institutional or funding agency requirements are welcome to submit to JMMR. The journal participates in Sage Choice, Sage’s open access option for authors. For more about Sage Choice, please click here http://www.sagepub.com/sagechoice/faq.sp
Manuscript Expectations
JMMR primarily publishes two types of manuscripts: original research, and methodological/theoretical discussions. All manuscripts submitted for consideration must make a novel methodological contribution.
Original research manuscripts identify a methodological contribution and report empirical mixed methods research in the social, behavioral, health, arts, and human sciences to illustrate the methodological contribution. These manuscripts must:
- fit the definition of mixed methods research by collecting and analyzing data, integrating the findings, and drawing overall interpretations or metainferences using both qualitative and quantitative approaches or methods;
- integrate explicitly the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the study; and
- discuss how the manuscript makes a novel contribution both to the literature on mixed methods research, and to a substantive area in the scholar’s field of inquiry.
Original research manuscripts that do not show integration or discuss how they make a novel contribution to the mixed methods literature will be returned to the author(s).
Manuscripts that discuss methodological/theoretical issues advance knowledge about mixed methods research. These manuscripts all must:
- address an important topic in the field of mixed methods;
- incorporate relevant literature about the mixed methods topic; and
- make a novel contribution to the understanding of mixed methods research.
You can learn more about the expectations for authoring these two main type of manuscripts by reading several JMMR editorials:
- the July 2015 editorial should be used to guide the structuring of your manuscript;
- the January 2017 editorial provides principles for consideration when developing and defining novel terminology for the field of mixed methods research
- the April 2019 editorial details three required elements in manuscripts with the emphasis on articulating and illustrating the novel methodological contribution.
- the October 2019 editorial provides a checklist of characteristics found in successful methodological articles to guide authors.
In addition, JMMR also publishes:
MMR prevalence studies that are a type of methodological manuscript which systematically examines and reviews the adoption and use of mixed methods research. You can learn about the expectations of prevalence studies by reading the April 2016 editorial.
Research Notes developed as brief articles that focus on a specific concept of methodological innovation relevant to mixed methods research. These may contain a maximum of 3 tables and/or figures.
Commentaries authored in response to published articles in the JMMR that provide an alternative interpretation, application, or expansion of ideas raised in a previously published JMMR original article. You can learn about publishing commentaries in the April 2018 editorial.
Media Reviews that critically evaluate the content, quality, and value of textbooks, software, or other media, such as websites, companion material, and video series that are of interest to mixed methods researchers. Media reviews should include complete bibliographic detail (author, year, title, and publisher information) of the reviewed media. You can learn about publishing media reviews in the October 2016 editorial.
Special Issues that are a group of articles focused on a specific topic about mixed methods research that are typically led and managed by one or more guest editors in consultation with the editors. You can learn more about publishing a special issue in the October 2018 editorial.
Manuscript Requirements
Title Page: Prepare a title page that includes the manuscript title, authors and affiliations, contact information for the corresponding author, and author acknowledgements, if relevant. The author names should only appear in the title page document. Manuscripts should be prepared with author names anonymized throughout to facilitate the review process.
Style: All manuscripts should conform to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th Edition (APA, 2019). The entire document should be double spaced and left justified, use a 12-point font, and have pages numbered consecutively. Authors should prepare an abstract and 3-5 key words. The manuscript should be prepared in MS Word (.doc) or rich text format (.rtf) and include: the text, references, endnotes, appendix(ces), tables, and figures. References, endnotes, tables, and figures must be on separate pages. Figures may also be placed into separate files. Indicate the approximate placement of each table and figure within the text with a comment such as "Insert Figure 1 about here." Please use endnotes instead of footnotes. Authors should use U.S. spellings and all references to authors within the manuscript should be anonymized (such as by replacing author names in citations with XXXXXX).
Word Limits: The full manuscript (including references, appendices, and tables) should not exceed 10,000 words in length for original empirical research manuscripts, 8,000 words for methodological/theoretical manuscripts. The word count should range from 1500 to 3500 words for research notes, and 1000 to 2000 words for commentaries. Manuscripts that exceed the stated word limitations will be returned to the author(s).
Abstract: Authors should prepare an abstract limited to 120 words. Authors must include an explicit statement about the contribution of the manuscript to mixed methods research. Please, read the April 2019 editorial for examples.
Main Text: Authors should recognize that JMMR seeks to advance understanding of mixed methods research and thus position their manuscript within the mixed methods literature. For all types of manuscripts (empirical, methodological/theoretical, research notes, commentaries), authors must provide an explicit methodological purpose/aim statement in the introduction/background section of the body of the manuscript. To support the methodological aim, the authors need to provide compelling arguments for a unique methodological contribution to mixed methods research based on relevant mixed methods literature. Therefore, the methodological aim should represent a novel contribution to mixed methods as shown by an extensive review of the mixed methods literature. The methodological aim should elaborate on the contribution stated in the abstract, and build on existing methodological literature in the field. Moreover, authors must also incorporate into the discussion a section titled ‘‘Contribution to the Field of Mixed Methods”. Please, read the editorials indicated above in the manuscript expectations section (especially the April 2019 editorial) and the review criteria noted below.
Supplemental materials: Authors may submit supplemental materials for publication only online that will NOT appear in the print version should the paper be accepted. In the manuscript submission, the materials should be clearly marked, and should be denoted in the manuscript as supplemental material for an online Appendix.
Originality of the Manuscript: Authors submitting manuscripts to JMMR should not simultaneously submit them to another journal, nor should manuscripts have been published elsewhere in substantially similar form or with substantially similar content. Authors who have submitted manuscripts to other journals based on the same data are asked to state this in their cover letter and to submit copies of these other papers/publications for review by the Editors at the time of submitting a manuscript to JMMR. Authors in doubt about what constitutes prior publication should consult the Editors.
Obtaining Permissions: Obtaining permission for any quoted or reprinted material that requires permission is the responsibility of the author.
Preprints: JMMR may accept submissions of papers that have been posted on pre-print servers; please alert the Editorial Office when submitting (contact details above) and include the DOI for the preprint in the designated field in the manuscript submission system. Authors should not post an updated version of their paper on the preprint server while it is being peer reviewed for possible publication in JMMR. If the article is accepted for publication, the author may re-use their work according to Administration & Society's author archiving policy. If your paper is accepted, you must include a link on your preprint to the final version of your paper.
Submission of a manuscript implies commitment to publish in JMMR.
REVIEW CRITERIA
JMMR requires all original research manuscripts to include a contribution to mixed methods research statement and a section in the discussion about the contribution to the mixed methods literature. You can learn more about writing a mixed methods contribution statement in the April 2019 editorial. All authors, especially those new to JMMR, are encouraged to review and submit the checklist of characteristics found in publishable manuscripts in the October 2019 editorial.
The review criteria for empirical mixed methods research will include:
- Methodological contribution
- Noteworthiness of the problem
- Theoretical framework
- Fit of questions to mixed methods design
- Mixed methods design
- Mixed methods sampling
- Mixed methods analysis and integration
- Insightfulness of discussion
- Writing quality
- Quality of conclusions
- Contribution to mixed methods literature
- Interest to JMMR readership
For further information on review of the quality of the empirical component of manuscripts can be found in Good Reporting of A Mixed Methods Study (GRAMMS) criteria as published in the Journal of Health Services Research & Policy.
The review criteria for methodological/theoretical manuscripts include:
- Methodological contribution
- Addresses an important topic
- Adequacy of the literature
- Soundness of the argument
- Originality of the suggestions
- Writing quality
- Contribution to mixed methods literature
- Interest to JMMR readership
Mixed methods prevalence manuscripts and research notes manuscripts will reviewed in accordance to the relevant criteria for empirical or methodological/theoretical manuscripts. Commentaries will be reviewed by the editors. The editors reserve the right to edit for format and style commentary manuscripts submitted to JMMR.
Special Issue proposals must be reviewed and approved by the editors. Manuscripts proposed for a JMMR special issue will go through the same peer review process and judged by the same criteria as other manuscripts. You can find more about submitting a Special Issue proposal in the October 2018 editorial.
Obtaining English-Language help for your Submission:
Authors who would like to refine the use of English in their manuscripts might consider using the services of a professional English-language editing company. We highlight some of these companies at http://www.sagepub.com/journalgateway/engLang.htm.
Please be aware that Sage has no affiliation with these companies and makes no endorsement of them. An author's use of these services in no way guarantees that his or her submission will ultimately be accepted. Any arrangement an author enters into will be exclusively between the author and the particular company, and any costs incurred are the sole responsibility of the author.
Data Sharing:
At Sage, we are committed to facilitating openness, transparency and reproducibility of research. Where relevant, The Journal encourages authors to share their research data in a suitable public repository subject to ethical considerations and where data is included, to add a data accessibility statement in their manuscript file. Authors should also follow data citation principles. For more information please visit the Sage Author Gateway, which includes information about Sage’s partnership with the data repository Figshare.
PubMed Depositing
JMMR does not automatically deposit articles to PubMed, but JMMR and Sage do absolutely allow authors the right to post their final accepted, pre-published version of their manuscript (not the final PDF) to PubMed Central. Our policy permits authors to make their papers publicly available in this manner immediately after publication—no embargo.