We recently came across an article by Harvard Catalyst that shows the three basic designs for integrating qualitative and quantitative research.
“Mixed methods is not simply having quantitative and qualitative data available or analyzing and presenting data findings separately,” the article says. Rather, qualitative and quantitative research must be integrated. “The integration process can occur during data collection, analysis, or in the presentation of results.”
The graphic below illustrates the three main methods for integrating qualitative and quantitative research.
The article also includes some useful questions to ask when starting a mixed-method study, rationales for using mixed methods, and a sample mixed-method study.