A concise introduction to mixed methods research / John W. Creswell, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

John W. Creswell's A Concise Introduction to Mixed Methods Research is a brief overview of mixed methods research that takes readers through the essential steps in planning and designing a study. Rather than offering an extensive treatment of mixed methods, this concise book offers individuals in the social, behavioral, and health sciences a foundation for understanding mixed methods methodology. Practical for use in workshops, seminars, global webinars, and as a supplementary text in undergraduate and graduate classes, Creswell's book is ideal for the beginner or the more advanced researcher looking for a quick primer in mixed methods, by an authoritative mixed methods scholar.

For a comprehensive treatment of Mixed Methods research, we recommend Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research, by John W. Creswell and Vicki J. Plano Clark.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface (p. x)
• Purpose of the Book (p. x)
• Audience (p. xi)
• Features of a Concise Book (p. xi)
• Chapters in the Book (p. xi)
• Acknowledgments (p. xiii)
• About the Author (p. xiv)
• Chapter 1 Basic Features of Mixed Methods Research (p. 1)
• Topics in the Chapter (p. 1)
• Understanding Mixed Methods Research (p. 1)
• What Mixed Methods Is (p. 2)
• What Mixed Methods Is Not (p. 2)
• Core Characteristics of Mixed Methods (p. 3)
• Collecting Quantitative and Qualitative Data (p. 4)
• Using Rigorous Methods (p. 4)
• Integrating Data (p. 6)
• Using a Framework (p. 7)
• Recommendations From This Chapter (p. 8)
• Additional Readings (p. 9)
• Chapter 2 Steps in Designing a Mixed Methods Study (p. 10)
• Topics in the Chapter (p. 10)
• The Need for Planning a Study (p. 10)
• Steps in the Process (p. 11)
• The Working Title (p. 12)
• The Problem Underlying the Need for the Study (p. 12)
• The Intent or Question to Be Answered (p. 13)
• The Types of Data Collection and Data Analysis to Be Used (p. 14)
• Reasons for Using Mixed Methods (p. 14)
• Specifying a Worldview or Theory (p. 16)
• Defining Mixed Methods (p. 18)
• Diagrams, Procedures, and Choice of Design (p. 18)
• Potential Methodological Challenges and Threats to Validity (p. 19)
• A Mixed Methods Study Aim or Purpose (p. 20)
• Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods Questions (p. 20)
• Reorganizing the Steps (p. 20)
• Recommendations From This Chapter (p. 21)
• Additional Readings (p. 21)
• Chapter 3 Skills Needed to Conduct Mixed Methods Research (p. 23)
• Topics in the Chapter (p. 23)
• Requirements for Conducting Mixed Methods (p. 23)
• Mixed Methods Teams (p. 25)
• Individual Skills in Research (p. 26)
• Skills in Quantitative Research (p. 27)
• Skills in Qualitative Research (p. 29)
• Recommendations From This Chapter (p. 33)
• Additional Readings (p. 33)
• Chapter 4 Basic and Advanced Mixed Methods Designs (p. 34)
• Topics in the Chapter (p. 34)
• Preliminary Considerations (p. 34)
• Basic Designs (p. 35)
• The Convergent Design (p. 35)
• The Explanatory Sequential Design (p. 37)
• The Exploratory Sequential Design (p. 39)
• Advanced Designs (p. 41)
• The Intervention Design (p. 42)
• The Social Justice Design (p. 44)
• The Multistage Evaluation Design (p. 46)
• How to Choose a Design (p. 48)
• Recommendations From This Chapter (p. 49)
• Additional Readings (p. 50)
• Chapter 5 How to Draw a Diagram of Procedures (p. 51)
• Topics in the Chapter (p. 51)
• Definition of a Diagram (p. 51)
• The Use of Diagrams (p. 52)
• Tools for Drawing Diagrams (p. 52)
• Notations for Diagrams (p. 52)
• Essential Elements in a Diagram (p. 53)
• Title (p. 54)
• Vertical or Horizontal Orientation (p. 54)
• Simplicity (p. 54)
• Single Page (p. 55)
• Timeline (p. 55)
• Basic Steps in Drawing a Diagram (p. 55)
• Visual Models of Diagrams by Design (p. 55)
• Adding Procedures and Products in Diagrams (p. 57)
• Drawing Advanced Designs Diagrams (p. 59)
• Recommendations From This Chapter (p. 61)
• Additional Readings (p. 62)
• Chapter 6 Introducing a Mixed Methods Study (p. 63)
• Topics in the Chapter (p. 63)
• The Importance of a Good Introduction (p. 63)
• A Script for Writing a Mixed Methods Introduction (p. 64)
• The Topic (p. 65)
• The Problem (p. 65)
• The Existing Literature (p. 65)
• Mixed Methods Deficiencies in the Literature (p. 66)
• The Audience (p. 66)
• Writing a Mixed Methods Purpose Statement (p. 66)
• "Best Practices" Study Aims (p. 67)
• A Sample Script (p. 67)
• Writing Mixed Methods Research Questions (p. 69)
• Quantitative Hypotheses or Questions (p. 69)
• Qualitative Research Questions (p. 70)
• Mixed Methods Questions (p. 71)
• Recommendations From This Chapter (p. 72)
• Additional Readings (p. 73)
• Chapter 7 Sampling and Integration Issues (p. 74)
• Topics in the Chapter (p. 74)
• The Issues of Sampling and Integration (p. 74)
• Sampling (p. 75)
• Quantitative Sampling (p. 75)
• Qualitative Sampling (p. 76)
• Mixed Methods Sampling (p. 77)
• Integration (p. 82)
• Types of Integration (p. 82)
• How Integration Is Represented in a Mixed Methods Study (p. 84)
• Recommendations From This Chapter (p. 86)
• Additional Readings (p. 87)
• Chapter 8 Writing a Mixed Methods Study for Publication (p. 88)
• Topics in the Chapter (p. 88)
• Locating a Suitable Journal (p. 88)
• Criteria Used to Evaluate JMMR Articles (p. 89)
• Two Types of Mixed Methods Articles (p. 90)
• Methodological Articles (p. 90)
• Empirical Articles (p. 91)
• Structuring the Empirical Article to Reflect the Design (p. 93)
• Convergent Design Structure (p. 94)
• Explanatory Sequential Design Structure (p. 94)
• Exploratory Sequential Design Structure (p. 95)
• Intervention Design Structure (p. 95)
• CBPR Mixed Methods Design Structure (p. 96)
• A Checklist of Elements to Include in a Publication (p. 96)
• Recommendations From This Chapter (p. 96)
• Additional Readings (p. 97)
• Chapter 9 Evaluating the Quality of a Mixed Methods Study (p. 99)
• Topics in the Chapter (p. 99)
• How Criteria Are Being Applied (p. 99)
• Should We Have Standards? (p. 100)
• Criteria I Used as Coeditor of JMMR (p. 102)
• JMMR Criteria for Empirical Articles (p. 103)
• JMMR Criteria for Methodological/Theoretical Articles (p. 104)
• Standards Available for Mixed Methods (p. 104)
• NIH Recommendations for "Best Practices" (p. 105)
• Recommendations From This Chapter (p. 108)
• Additional Readings (p. 109)
• Chapter 10 The Development and Advancement of Mixed Methods (p. 110)
• Topics in the Chapter (p. 110)
• Scientific Developments (p. 110)
• Core Characteristics (p. 111)
• Terminology (p. 111)
• The Value of Mixed Methods (p. 112)
• Advances in Research Designs (p. 112)
• Skills Required for Conducting Mixed Methods Research (p. 113)
• Use of Philosophy and Theory (p. 113)
• Mixed Methods Research Question (p. 114)
• Joint Displays (p. 114)
• Writing and Publishing Mixed Methods Studies (p. 115)
• Standards of Quality (p. 116)
• Mixed Methods in the Digital Age (p. 116)
• Recommendations From This Chapter (p. 117)
• Additional Readings (p. 117)
• References (p. 119)
• Glossary (p. 122)
• Index (p. 127)