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Mixed methods research

Vicki L. Plano Clark

To cite this article: Vicki L. Plano Clark (2017) Mixed methods research, The Journal of Positive
Psychology, 12:3, 305-306, DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2016.1262619

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Published online: 09 Dec 2016.

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Download by: [Cornell University Library] Date: 26 June 2017, At: 16:24
The Journal of Positive Psychology, 2017
VOL. 12, NO. 3, 305–306
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1262619

COMMENTARY

Mixed methods research

Historically, it has been commonplace for scholars across approach can describe culturally situated meanings and
disciplines to view quantitative and qualitative research experiences related to character strengths and well-
approaches as being in opposition to each other and to being; however, qualitative research alone cannot e­ xamine
emphasize the perceived weaknesses of each approach. the prevalence or predictive power of such constructs.
However, many scholars now emphasize the distinct Using quantitative methods as a follow-up to initial qual-
strengths of these two approaches to research and argue itative results in a sequential mixed methods design, the
that great potential exists for addressing complex research researcher can address questions that ask what and how
problems when they are considered as complementary. much.
Mixed methods research has emerged as an approach Another way that researchers strategically combine
where researchers explicitly integrate quantitative and quantitative and qualitative approaches is to merge
qualitative research approaches to best understand a them during the same phase of the research. For exam-
research problem by capitalizing on their complementary ple, a quantitative experimental research approach can
strengths and differences (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2011; determine the effectiveness of an intervention informed
Greene, 2007; Hesse-Biber & Johnson, 2015; Plano Clark by positive psychology principles, but experimental
& Ivankova, 2016; Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2003, 2010). That designs alone cannot describe how different individuals
is, mixed methods research studies involve the synergis- experience the intervention process and its outcomes. By
tic combination of different aspects of quantitative and embedding qualitative methods within the experiment to
qualitative research including the different perspectives, examine an intervention in a concurrent mixed methods
intents, research questions, data sources, analytic tech- design, the researcher can address questions that ask is
niques, and interpretations associated with these two there an effect and for what reasons. Similarly researchers
approaches. might apply both methods concurrently to more fully
Within positive psychology, the value of using mixed capture the overall complexity and multiple facets of a
methods research arises when quantitative and qualitative phenomenon such as resiliency to address questions that
data and methods are strategically combined and lead to ask what is the complete picture.
more nuanced, contextualized, and corroborated conclu- The use of mixed methods research in psychology
sions about human flourishing and well-being. One stra- is not new (e.g. Hanson, Creswell, Plano Clark, Petska, &
tegic combination occurs when researchers connect the Creswell, 2005; Plano Clark & Wang, 2010), but it has great
two different approaches in an intentional sequence such potential for addressing the assumptions, priorities, and
as quantitative → qualitative or qualitative → quantitative. agendas advanced by positive psychology. Collectively
For example, a quantitative research approach can iden- the examples highlighted here illustrate how the integra-
tify significant predictors of well-being or identify cases tion of quantitative and qualitative methods within mixed
of positive deviance, such as individuals who are thriving methods research studies can provide positive psychol-
in their personal and professional lives; however, quan- ogy researchers with unique opportunities for gaining
titative research alone cannot explain the mechanisms richer insights and stronger conclusions about optimal
behind predictors or provide insight into the experience of human functioning. The examples also suggest several
thriving. Using qualitative methods as a follow-up to initial important considerations involved with applying mixed
quantitative results in a sequential mixed methods design, methods research in positive psychology. These consid-
the researcher can address questions that ask what and erations include having research questions that call for
why or who and how. Alternatively, a qualitative research mixing methods, carefully determining the sequencing

CONTACT Vicki L. Plano Clark [email protected]

of the quantitative and qualitative approaches, and using psychology. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 224–235. doi:
rigorous procedures to implement and meaningfully inte- 10.1037/0022-0167.52.2.224
Hesse-Biber, S. N., & Johnson, R. B. (Eds.). (2015). The Oxford
grate the different approaches to capitalize on their com-
handbook Handbook of multimethod and mixed methods
plementary strengths. research inquiry. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Plano Clark, V. L., & Ivankova, N. V. (2016). Mixed methods
research: A guide to the field. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Disclosure statement Plano Clark, V. L., & Wang, S. C. (2010). Adapting mixed method
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author. research to multicultural counseling. In J. G. Ponterotto, J.
M. Casas, L. A. Suzuki, & C. M. Alexander (Eds.), Handbook of
multicultural counseling (3rd ed., pp. 427–438). Thousand
References Oaks, CA: Sage.
Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (Eds.). (2003). Handbook of mixed
Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2011). Designing and methods in social & behavioral research. Thousand Oaks, CA:
conducting mixed methods research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, Sage.
CA: Sage. Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (Eds.). (2010). Sage handbook of
Greene, J. C. (2007). Mixed methods in social inquiry. San mixed methods in social & behavioral research (2nd ed.).
Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Hanson,W. E., Creswell, J.W., Plano Clark,V. L., Petska, K. P., & Creswell,
J. D. (2005). Mixed methods research designs in counseling