Approaches to Mixed Methods Research

Lisa D. Pearce is Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also a Faculty Fellow at the Carolina Population Center. Her research examines how religions and families shape ideas and behavior from youth into adulthood–in the U.S. and Nepal. Pearce has published three previous books, and her articles have appeared in outlets such as Social Forces, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, and Journal of Marriage and Family. Pearce’s research often integrates the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, and she writes and teaches about mixed methods research. Jessica Halliday Hardie is Professor of Sociology at Hunter College, City University of New York. She is a faculty affiliate and current Interim Associate Director at the CUNY Institute for Demographic Research. Hardie specializes in the areas of inequality, family, health, education, work, social demography, and the transition to adulthood. She is the author of Best Laid Plans: Women Coming of Age in Uncertain Times, published by the University of California Press. Her work has appeared in journals such as Social Forces, Journal of Marriage and Family, Sociology of Education, Social Problems, Socius, and Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

• Series Editor IntroductionAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorsChapter 1: What Is Mixed Methods Research and Why Use It?The Field of Mixed Methods ResearchClarifying Some TerminologyOverview of the BookChapter 2: Developing Research Questions and Hypotheses in Mixed Methods ResearchPredetermined Research Questions or Hypotheses for Mixed Methods ResearchEmergent Research Questions or Hypotheses in Mixed Methods ResearchApplication ExercisesChapter 3: Sampling and Case SelectionSampling in Concurrently Designed and Collected Mixed Methods ProjectsSequential Sampling in Mixed Methods ProjectsApplication ExercisesChapter 4: Combining Methods to Improve Data Collection ToolsImproving Quantitative Data Collections With Findings From Qualitative DataResults From Quantitative Data Informing the Collection of Qualitative DataHybrid Data Collection ToolsApplication ExercisesChapter 5: Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Data in Analysis and InterpretationRationale for Mixing Data AnalysesThe Process of Integrating Different Data AnalysesApplication ExercisesChapter 6: Challenges and Rewards in Mixed Methods ResearchCommon Issues in Mixed Methods ResearchWhen to Use a Mixed Methods Approach (or Not)Rewards of a Mixed Methods ApproachWhat the Future HoldsApplication ExercisesAppendix: Mixed Method Studies by ChapterReferences

A readable, interesting book on mixed methods. The authors provide insights into the highs and lows of the research trajectory, including examples that will get students excited about their own research agendas.