Operationalizing and Conceptualizing Quality in Mixed Methods Research: A Multiple Case Study of the Disciplines of Education, Nursing, Psychology, and Sociology

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to describe and compare how researchers in the education, nursing, psychology, and sociology disciplines operationalize and conceptualize the quality of mixed methods research (MMR). An international sample of 44 MMR researchers representing these four disciplines were interviewed by Skype and telephone. The study findings point to: (a) two perspectives from which the quality of MMR is understood, one contingent and flexible and the other universal and fixed; (b) a link between these two perspectives and the participant’s own discipline; and (c) an equal prevalence of the criteria most mentioned by the participants across disciplines. Implications of the findings for the field of MMR are discussed.

Julio Meneses

Full Professor

Professor de metodologia de la investigació, director d’Anàlisi de l’Aprenentatge i de la Docència de l’eLearning Innovation Center i investigador de l’Internet Interdisciplinary Institute de la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya.