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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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October 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

 

Big data and increasingly sophisticated research challenges mean that we can no longer rely on ‘off the shelf’ methodologies. This book is essential reading for anyone engaging in mixed methods work, offering a positive call to action and essential guidance.

Lorraine Sheridan
Psychology, Curtin University

Cogent, practical, and based on extensive experience—this book will be especially useful to researchers navigating the space between the ideal research designs they were taught and the realities on the ground.

Arden M. Morris
Surgery, Stanford University

Poth’s framing of complex mixed methods problems reflects the importance of visualising and mapping out complex situations in research. This book acts as a particularly useful tool for developing this key skill as a mixed method researcher.

Rebecca Johnson
Health Sciences, University of Warwick

Professor Poth’s new book takes the reader on a journey of discovery into the world of mixed methods. This easy to read resource provides the nuances required to undertake good mixed methods studies. The book is a must-have for novice and seasoned researchers alike.

Vanessa Scherman
Department of Psychology of Education, University of South Africa

Dr. Poth provides a helpful balance of theoretical and practical guidance for new scholars seeking to pursue mixed methods research. Her book, which provides concrete examples illustrating the steps involved in navigating complex research projects, is an invaluable resource for students. 

Btissam El Hassar
Doctoral candidate, Centre for Applied Research in Assessment and Measurement in Education, University of Alberta

Balancing theory, her experiences, and diverse examples spanning social sciences, Dr. Poth simultaneously initiates readers to mixed methods and explores design complexities that will illuminate many emerging and established scholars. Her accessible, thorough, well-paced text accounts for what, why, and how. Eschewing prescription, she welcomes adaptation in mixed methods research.

Michael A. Thier
PhD candidate in Educational Methodology, Policy & Leadership, University of Oregon

Mixed methods research is well established in the literature yet there exists much diversity across many areas and a lack of consensus within the field... This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction into the field.

Journal of Consumer Policy

This book is a good guide for anyone doing complex, multi-phase research, where there are interlinking social and institutional uncertainties and imperfect knowledge about their nature and solutions
[...]
Poth describes six adaptive practices to help researchers respond to unfolding conditions in complex social research. She says that the traditional mixed methods approach is limiting and that we need to be more flexible when research is complex, multi-layered and when there are many uncertainties.

Imogen Birch
Citizens Advice
SRA Research Matters

This is a very good resource for students and teaching

Mrs Josephine D Morris
Interdiscipline, Winchester University
December 9, 2020

Very practical and very interesting for who are beginning research.

Professor João Carlos Oliveira Matias
Accounting, Universidade de Aveiro
December 20, 2019

For instructors

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