Coming at Things Differently

Abstract

The field of mixed methods (MM) research facilitates ‘‘coming at things differently.’’ Traditional forms of data gathering using one method for data collection may not be adequate for answering complex questions that sometimes require a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods in one study. Although the number of MM studies continues to grow, it is clear from the literature that newcomers and seasoned MM researchers encounter praxis/practice barriers that concern the ‘‘how-tos’’ of integrating MM findings. More philosophical concerns center on issues regarding whether or not paradigmatic stances can be mixed or can coexist. Still other concerns center on research conundrums that reside within and between our disciplinary contexts, such as the impact of and interfacing with newly emergent technologies for data analysis and collection with MM research. Some of these barriers are conscious whereas others are unconscious.