Sage Handbook of Mixed Methods Research Design

This comprehensive handbook was published in September 2023. The aim of The SAGE Handbook of Mixed Methods Research Design, will be to provide an essential resource for anyone interested in the contemporary, emerging, and evolving practice of mixed methods research and scholarship. Expanding on the great success of the first (2003) and second (2010) editions of the SAGE Handbook of Mixed Methods Research, The SAGE Handbook of Mixed Research Design offers updates of design-specific subjects and chapters covering current developments, such as innovative data combinations, integration intentionality, complex designs, design visualizations, and writing strategies.

Its been published!

As editor, I have assembled an advisory board that intends to reflect the multidisciplinary and international scope of the field to contribute to the Handbook. The 11 section leads and I are currently working with the  authors of 37 chapters organized across the 6 sections.

I am committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion of a broad representation of perspectives. Efforts will be made to ensure geographic and disciplinary representation among others. Many thanks to everyone involved as this work could not be done with you!

Advisory Board Members

I am so pleased to make public the advisory board members of the Handbook; I am so appreciative of their wisdom and expertise in bringing this international work to life! (in alphabetical order) 

Dr. Mandy Archibald, University of Manitoba, Canada

Dr. Lisbeth Brevik, University of Oslo, Norway

Professor Roslyn Cameron, Torrens University, Australia

Loraine D. Cook, PhD, University of West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica

Dr. John Creswell, University of Michigan, USA

Dr. Jenny Douglas, Open University, UK

Dr. Michael Fetters, University of Michigan, USA

Dr. Taichi Hatta, Kyoto University, Japan

Dr. Tera Jordan, Iowa State University, USA

Dr. Donna Mertens, Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, USA

Dr. Katrin Niglas, University of Tallinn, Estonia

Prof. Vanessa Sherman, University of South Africa, South Africa

Advisory Board Members have played important roles in suggesting chapter topics and authors, in providing constructive feedback to authors, and in some cases, lending support to authors as coaches. 

Section Leads

I am privileged to be working with such a talented group of section leads for the Handbook; I am so appreciative of their willingness to be involved and work they are undertaking with the chapter authors of their sections!

Section 1: Inspiring Design Diversity, Evolutions, and Innovations

Co-leads: Dr. Sergi Fàbregues, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Spain 

Dr. José Molina-Azorin, University of Alicante, Spain

Section 2: Situating Components of Mixed Methods Design in the Research Process

Co-Leads: Dr. Judith Schoonenboom, University of Vienna, Austria

Dr. Sophia L. Johnson, USA

Section 3: Expanding Design Approaches

Co-leads: Dr. Peggy Shannon-Baker, Georgia Southern University, USA

Dr. Jessica DeCuir-Gunby, North Carolina State University, USA

Section 4: Designing Innovative Integrations

Lead: Dr. Timothy Guetterman, University of Michigan, USA

Section 5: Navigating Research Cultures in Designs

Co-leads: Dr. Elsa Lucia Escalante Barrios, Universidad del Norte, Colombia

Dr. Elizabeth Creamer, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA

Section 6: Exploring Possibilities and Challenges for Mixed Methods Research 

Co-leads: Dr. Peter Rawlins, Massey University, New Zealand

Dr. Maggie Hartnett, Massey University, New Zealand 

Section leads have contributed importantly to the Handbook by conceptualizing their section foci, determining relevant chapter topics, recruiting authors, providing constructive feedback to authors in their proposals, and lending support to authors throughout the revising and finalizing of chapters.

Table of Contents

37 Chapters involving 80 authors from 16 countries are now finalized and the Handbook submitted for production - for updates, see Sage website HERE

I would like to acknowledge the additional global mixed methods research community members who have contributed as peer reviewers to our chapters and who will be recognized in the Handbook. 

*in brackets after the title are the page numbers in the printed version.

1. Dilemmas and Opportunities for Mixed Methods Research Design: Handbook Introduction (1-16)

Cheryl N. Poth (Canada)

Section 1: Inspiring Diversity and Innovation in Mixed Methods Design

Evolving Tensions and Conversations in Mixed Methods Research Design Approaches: Section 1 Introduction (17-20)

   Sergi Fàbregues and José F. Molina-Azorin (Spain)    

2. Revisiting Mixed Methods Research Designs Twenty Years Later (21-36)

John W. Creswell and Vicki L. Plano Clark (USA)

3. Mixed Methods Design in Historical Perspective: Implications for Researchers (37-47)

Joseph A Maxwell (USA)

4. Mixed Methods Designs to Further Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice (48-58)

Donna M. Mertens (USA) 

5. Developments in Mixed Methods Designs: What Have Been the Dominant Pathways and Where Might They Take Us in the Future? (59-78)

 Katrin Niglas (Estonia)

6. The Role of Methodological Paradigms for Dialogic Knowledge Production: Using a Conceptual Map of Discourse Development to Inform MMR Research Design (79-90)

Dawn Freshwater (Australia) and Jane Cahill (UK)

Future Tensions and Design Conversations in the Mixed Methods Field: Section 1 Conclusions (91-96)

  José F. Molina-Azorin & Sergi Fàbregues (Spain)

Section 2: The Craft of Mixed Methods Research Design

The Craft of Mixed Methods Research Design: Section 2 Introduction (97-100)

       Sophia L. Johnson (USA) and Judith Schoonenboom (Austria)

7. Embracing Emergence in Mixed Methods Designs: Theoretical Foundations and Empirical Applications (101-113)

     Manuela De Allegri (Germany) and Julia Lohmann (UK)

8. The Methods-Inference Map: Visualizing the Interactions Between Methods and Inferences in Mixed Methods Research  (114-129)

    Judith Schoonenboom (Austria)

9. Towards Sampling Designs that are Transparent, Rigorous, Ethical, and Equitable (TREE): Using a Tree Metaphor as a Sampling Meta-Framework in Mixed Methods Research  (130-142)

Julie A. Corrigan (Canada) and Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie (UK)

10.  Data Integration as a Form of Integrated Mixed Analysis in Mixed Methods Research Designs  (142-153)

Susanne Vogl (Germany)

11.  Ethical Issues and Practices for Mixed Methods Research in an Era of Big Data  (154-165)

Roslyn Cameron and Heinz Herrmann (Australia)

12.  Building the Logic for an Integrated Methodology: Mixed Method Grounded Theory as an Example of Constructing a Methodology to Guide Design and Integration  (166-179)

Elizabeth G. Creamer, Cherie D. Edwards, and Cassandra McCall (USA)

The Craft of Mixed Methods Research Design: Section 2 Conclusions  (180-186)

      Judith Schoonenboom (Austria) and Sophia L. Johnson (USA)

Section 3: Expanding Mixed Methods Design Approaches

Expanding Beyond Typology-Based Mixed Methods Designs: Section 3 Introduction (187-190)

       Peggy Shannon-Baker and Jessica T. DeCuir-Gunby (USA)

13.  Exploring Interlocking Relationships of Race, Gender, and Class with an Intersectionality-Informed Mixed Methods Research Design Framework (191-202)

Jenny Douglas (UK)

14.  Indigenous Cultural Values Instrument Development: Using Mixed Methods Research (203-217)

Mehdi Taghipoorreyneh (Iran)

15.  What Can Mixed Methods Partnerships Learn from Kaupapa Māori Research Principles? (218-232)

Peter Rawlins, Philippa Butler, Spencer Lilley, and Maggie Hartnett (New Zealand/Aotearoa)

16. Prioritizing Cultural Responsiveness in Mixed Methods Research and Team Science with Underrepresented Communities (233-244)

Tera R. Jordan and Maya Bartel (USA)

17. Using Participatory Methods in Randomised Controlled Trials of Complex Interventions (245-255)

Jenevieve Mannell and Audrey Prost (UK)

18. Illustrating the Mixed Methods Phenomenological Approach (MMPR) (256-267)

Joanne Mayoh (UK), Talia Thompson (USA), and Shanlee Davis (USA)

19. Intersection of Mixed Methods and Case Study Research (MM+CSR): Two Design Options in Educational Research (267-277)

     Loraine D. Cook (Jamaica) and Vimala Judy Kamalodeen (Trinidad & Tobago)

20. Harnessing Mixed Methods for Research Instrument Development and Legitimation (278-290)

Vanessa Scherman and Lisa Zimmerman (South Africa)

21.  Mixed Methods-Grounded Theory: Best Practices for Design and Implementation (291-304)

Michelle C. Howell Smith, Wayne A. Babchuk, and Timothy C. Guetterman (USA)

Moving Beyond Tradition: The Need for Expanded and Culturally Relevant Mixed Methods Design Typologies: Section 3 Conclusions (305-310)

    Jessica T. DeCuir-Gunby and Peggy Shannon-Baker (USA)

Section 4: Designing Innovative Integrations with Technology

Expanding Innovative Integrations with Technology: Section 4 Introduction (311-314)

       Timothy C. Guetterman (USA)

22.  Using Software for Innovative Integration in Mixed Methods Research: Joint Displays, Insights, and Inferences with MAXQDA (315-327)

Udo Kuckartz and Stefan Rädiker (Germany) 

23.  Grounded Text Mining Approach: An Integration Strategy of Grounded Theory and Textual Data Mining (328-345)

       Mitsuyuki Inaba and Hisako Kakai (Japan)

24.  A ‘Mixed Methods Way of Thinking’ in Game-based Research Integrations (346-360)

Lisbeth M. Brevik (Norway)

25.  Integrating Secondary Data from Ethnically and Racially Minoritized Groups in Mixed Methods Research (361-371)

      Daphne C. Watkins and Natasha C. Johnson (USA)

26.  Beyond the Joint Display in Mixed Methods Convergent Designs: A Case-Oriented Merged Analysis (372-386)

Carolina Bustamante (USA)

Future Trends in Designing Innovative Integrations with Technology: Section 5 Conclusions (387-392)

       Timothy Guetterman (USA)

Section 5: Navigating Research Cultures in Mixed Methods Design 

From Margin to Center: The Design Implications of Cultural Component with Mixed Methods: Section 5 Introduction (393-396)

       Elizabeth Creamer (USA)

27.  Culturally Responsive Mixed Methods Evaluation Design (397-410)

Jori N. Hall and Ayesha S. Boyce (USA)

28.  Integrating a Four-Step Japanese Cultural Narrative Framework, Ki-Shou-Ten-Ketsu, into a Mixed Methods Study (411-421)

      Taichi Hatta (Japan)

29.  Leveraging Mixed Methods Community-based Participatory Research (MMCBPR) in Diverse Social and Cultural Contexts to Advance Health Equity (422-433)

       P. Paul Chandanabhumma, Annika Agni, and Melissa DeJonckheere (USA)

30.  Cultural Diversity in Intervention Designs: A Chinese Illustrative Example (434-445)

Hongling Chu (China), Xuejun Yin (China), and Huieming Liu (Australia)

31.  Examining the Influences of Spanish Research Culture in Systematic Observation with Mixed Methods (446-462)

M. Teresa Anguera, Eulàlia Arias-Pujol, Francisco Molinero, and Luca Del Giacco (Spain)

Future Directions for Research Cultures in Mixed Methods Designs: Section 5 Conclusions (463-468)

       Elsa Lucia Escalante Barrios (Colombia) 

Section 6: Exploring Design Possibilities and Challenges for Mixed Methods Research 

Exploring Possibilities and Challenges for Mixed Methods Research for the Future: Section 6 Introduction (469-471)

       Peter Rawlins and Maggie Hartnett (New Zealand)

32.  Visualising the Process: Using Visuals to Teach and Learn Mixed Methods Research (472-484)

Peggy Shannon-Baker (USA) 

33.  Toward the Future Legitimacy of Mixed Methods Designs: Responsible Mixed Methods Research for Tackling Grand Challenges for the Betterment of Society (485-495)

      José F. Molina-Azorin (Spain) and Michael D. Fetters (USA)

34.  Realizing Methodological Potentials and Advantages of Mixed Methods Research Design for Knowledge Translation (512-526)

Nataliya V. Ivankova, Jami L. Anderson, Ivan I. Herbey, Linda A. Roussel, and Daniel Kim (USA)

35.  Opportunities and Challenges for a Transdisciplinary Mixed Methods Research Future

Mandy M. Archibald (Canada)

36. Mapping Design Trends and Evolving Directions Using the SAGE Handbook of Mixed Methods Research Design (527-537)

     John Creswell (USA), Cheryl N. Poth (Canada), and Peter Rawlins (New Zealand)

Where to Next in Exploring Possibilities and Challenges for Mixed Methods Research for the Future: Section 6 Conclusions (538-541)

       Peter Rawlins and Maggie Hartnett (New Zealand)

37. An Emerging and Exciting Future for Mixed Methods Research Design: Handbook Conclusions (542-549)

Cheryl N. Poth (Canada)

Need for This Handbook

Mixed methods research designs are prevalent, recognizable, and rapidly-evolving. Mixed methods research designs permeate all disciplines and the exists a pressing need for interdisciplinary conversations and learning opportunities. There remain many advances in mixed research designs that have yet to be fully explored and potential applications to designs explained to complement the contributions of the 2015 Oxford Handbook of Multimethod and Mixed Methods Research Inquiry (Edited by Sharlene Hesse-Biber and Burke Johnson) and forthcoming Routledge Handbook of Integration in Mixed Methods Research (Edited by John Hitchcock and Anthony Onwuegbuzie). The increasing recognition of mixed research approaches to solve complex societal issues creates opportunities for novel thinking about how to address such issues. Mixed methods research is well positioned to tackle what are considered to be wicked or complex problems: “Mixed methods research has the potential to contribute to finding solutions to wicked problems because it stimulates new kinds of questions and involves the use of innovations in methodology needed to address complexity” (Mertens et al., 2015, p. 225). The diversity of mixed methods research designs is growing and emerging literature impacted my own thinking and writing about complex designs (Poth, 2018). More complex research problems require innovative designs that we intend to provide guidance about and position mixed methods research designs for its yet unknown future!