Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This accessibly written book is ideal for use in graduate courses or by practicing researchers and evaluators. The author puts the research problem at center stage, showing how mixed methods designs can fruitfully address different types of research questions. She illustrates the discussion with examples of mixed methods studies from a variety of disciplines and qualitative approaches (interpretative, feminist, and postmodern). The text demonstrates how to navigate ethical issues; gather, analyze, and interpret data; and write up the results, including an in-depth example with step-by-step commentary. Special features include "researcher standpoint" reflections from leading scholars and practical strategies to help users develop their own research perspectives. Every chapter concludes with a glossary, discussion questions, and useful Web resources.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• 1 Introduction to Mixed Methods Research (p. 1)
• What Are Mixed Methods? (p. 3)
• Why Use Mixed Methods? (p. 3)
• Objectives of This Book (p. 9)
• A Comprehensive Perspective on Mixed Methods (p. 10)
• A Comprehensive Approach to Mixed Methods (p. 11)
• The Need for Qualitative Approaches to Mixed Methods Research (p. 14)
• Qualitative Mixed Methods Approaches: Some Examples (p. 19)
• The Perils of Mixed Methods (p. 21)
• The Practice of Mixed Methods: Behind the Scenes (p. 23)
• The Promise of Mixed Methods Research (p. 24)
• Glossary (p. 26)
• Discussion Questions (p. 27)
• Suggested Websites (p. 27)
• 2 Formulating Questions, Conducting a Literature Review, Sampling Design, and the Centrality of Ethics in Mixed Methods Research (p. 29)
• Researcher Reflexivity in the Question-Asking Process: The "Cart before the Horse" Metaphor (p. 29)
• The Influence of Stakeholders in the Formulation of Research Questions (p. 33)
• The Role of the Research Literature (p. 35)
• Types of Research Questions (p. 40)
• What Are Mixed Methods Research Questions? (p. 44)
• Returning to the "Cart before the Horse" Metaphor: A Caveat (p. 47)
• Approaches to Sampling Designs (p. 49)
• The Centrality of Ethics in the Mixed Methods Research Process (p. 55)
• Glossary (p. 59)
• Discussion Questions (p. 60)
• Suggested Websites (p. 61)
• 3 A Qualitative Approach to Mixed Methods Design, Analysis, Interpretation, Write Up, and Validity (p. 63)
• What Is a Qualitative Approach lo Mixed Methods? (p. 63)
• A Mixed Methods Qualitative Framework (p. 64)
• A Qualitative Approach to Mixed Methods Research Design (p. 67)
• A Qualitative Approach to Analysis and Interpretation of Mixed Methods Research (p. 72)
• Guidelines for Mixing Methods at the Data Analysis and Interpretation Stage (p. 75)
• Writing Up Mixed Methods Projects (p. 82)
• Validity and Reliability in Mixed Methods Research (p. 85)
• Appendix 3.1 Quantizing Qualitative Data (p. 92)
• Appendix 3.2 Quantizing Quantitative Data (p. 97)
• Glossary (p. 99)
• Discussion Questions (p. 101)
• Suggested Websites (p. 101)
• 4 Interpretative Approaches to Mixed Methods Research (p. 104)
• The Practice of an Interpretative Approach to Mixed Methods Research: Case Studies (p. 105)
• Why an Interpretative Approach to Research Uses a Mixed Methods Design (p. 122)
• Challenges to Implementing a Mixed Methods Design and the Need for Researcher Reflexivity (p. 124)
• Glossary (p. 126)
• Discussion Questions (p. 127)
• Suggested Websites (p. 127)
• 5 Feminist Approaches to Mixed Methods Research (p. 128)
• What Is Feminist Research? (p. 128)
• Mixed Methods and the Feminist Approach (p. 132)
• Using a Feminist Mixed Methods Approach to Reveal Subjugated Knowledge and Silenced Voices (p. 133)
• Using a Feminist Mixed Methods Approach to Understand Differences among Women (p. 141)
• Using a Feminist Mixed Methods Approach to Empower Women's Lives (p. 143)
• Using a Feminist Mixed Methods Approach for Social Change and Social Policy Transformation (p. 145)
• The Need for Mixed Methods feminist Research Approaches (p. 149)
• Glossary (p. 151)
• Discussion Questions (p. 152)
• Suggested Websites (p. 152)
• 6 Postmodernist Approaches to Mixed Methods Research (p. 154)
• What Is Postmodernism? (p. 154)
• Postmodernist Questions and Mixed Methods Research Design (p. 157)
• The Benefits of a Mixed Methods Design in Postmodern Research (p. 169)
• Glossary (p. 172)
• Discussion Questions (p. 172)
• Suggested Websites (p. 173)
• 7 Putting It Together: Qualitative Approaches to Mixed Methods Research Praxis (p. 174)
• Pulling It into Practice: Conducting a Qualitative Approach to a Mixed Methods Research Project (p. 175)
• Step 1 Research Problem Stage: The Mixed Methods Research Problem (p. 180)
• Step 2 Determining Your Mixed Methods Research Design (p. 181)
• Step 3 Data Collection Stage (p. 182)
• Step 3 Continued. Specific Data Collection Techniques (p. 188)
• Step 4 Data Analysis and Interpretation (p. 190)
• Step 5 Writing Up a Mixed Methods Study (p. 197)
• Conclusion: Evaluating Your Mixed Methods Project (p. 200)
• Appendix 7.1 Examples of Consent Forms (p. 202)
• Glossary (p. 204)
• Discussion Questions (p. 205)
• Suggested Websites (p. 205)
• 8 Conclusion: The Prospects and Challenges of Mixed Methods Praxis (p. 207)
• A Mixed Methods Tale (p. 207)
• Confusing Methodology with Method (p. 210)
• The Importance of Emergent Methods for Mixed Methods Research (p. 212)
• The Challenges of Utilizing a Mixed Methods Approach (p. 213)
• The Need for a Comprehensive Approach to Mixed Methods (p. 215)
• Glossary (p. 216)
• Discussion Questions (p. 217)
• Suggested Website (p. 217)
• References (p. 219)
• Author Index (p. 229)
• Subject Index (p. 232)
• About the Author (p. 239)
• About the Contributing Author (p. 240)
• About the Researchers Interviewed (p. 241)

Author notes provided by Syndetics