IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/qualqt/v52y2018i6d10.1007_s11135-018-0700-2.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Revisiting the difference between mixed methods and multimethods: Is it all in the name?

Author

Listed:
  • M. Teresa Anguera

    (University of Barcelona)

  • Angel Blanco-Villaseñor

    (University of Barcelona)

  • José Luis Losada

    (University of Barcelona)

  • Pedro Sánchez-Algarra

    (University of Barcelona)

  • Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie

    (Sam Houston State University
    University of Johannesburg)

Abstract

The literature on mixed methods and multimethods has burgeoned over the last 20 years, and researchers from a growing number and diversity of fields have progressively embraced these approaches. However, rapid growth in any movement inevitably gives rise to gaps or shortcomings, such as “identity crises” or divergent conceptual views. Although some authors draw a clear and sometimes opinionated distinction between mixed methods and multimethods, for others, they are synonymous. The concepts underlying both terms therefore have become blurred and generated much confusion. The aim of this article is to explore the origins of the confusion, describe our view of mixed methods and multimethod studies, and by doing so, help to clearly delineate the two concepts. The authors have presented their opinion of how these terms and concepts should be distinguished and call for a constructive debate of the issues involved in the mixed methods and multimethod literature. This is a way truly to propel the field forward.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Teresa Anguera & Angel Blanco-Villaseñor & José Luis Losada & Pedro Sánchez-Algarra & Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie, 2018. "Revisiting the difference between mixed methods and multimethods: Is it all in the name?," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(6), pages 2757-2770, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:52:y:2018:i:6:d:10.1007_s11135-018-0700-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11135-018-0700-2
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11135-018-0700-2
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11135-018-0700-2?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Anthony Onwuegbuzie & R. Johnson & Kathleen Collins, 2011. "Assessing legitimation in mixed research: a new framework," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 45(6), pages 1253-1271, October.
    2. Pedro Sánchez-Algarra & M. Anguera, 2013. "Qualitative/quantitative integration in the inductive observational study of interactive behaviour: impact of recording and coding among predominating perspectives," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 47(2), pages 1237-1257, February.
    3. Timothy C. Guetterman, 2017. "What distinguishes a novice from an expert mixed methods researcher?," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 51(1), pages 377-398, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. David Martín-Martínez & Pere Lavega-Burgués & Cristòfol Salas-Santandreu & Conxita Duran-Delgado & Queralt Prat & Sabrine Damian-Silva & Leonardo Machado & Pablo Aires-Araujo & Verónica Muñoz-Arroyave, 2021. "Relationships, Decisions, and Physical Effort in the Marro Traditional Sporting Game: A Multimodal Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-27, October.
    2. Bigne, Enrique & Chatzipanagiotou, Kalliopi & Ruiz, Carla, 2020. "Pictorial content, sequence of conflicting online reviews and consumer decision-making: The stimulus-organism-response model revisited," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 403-416.
    3. Rubén Maneiro & José Luís Losada & Mariona Portell & Antonio Ardá, 2021. "Observational Analysis of Corner Kicks in High-Level Football: A Mixed Methods Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-19, July.
    4. Caitlyn S. White & Erica Spry & Emma Griffiths & Emma Carlin, 2021. "Equity in Access: A Mixed Methods Exploration of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Access Program for the Kimberley Region, Western Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-13, August.
    5. Celia Camilli Trujillo & Laura Cuervo Calvo & Desirée García Gil & Carolina Bonastre Valles, 2022. "Mixed methods research in service-learning: an integrative systematic review," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(4), pages 2361-2386, August.
    6. Christa E. Winkler & Annie M. Wofford, 2024. "Trends and Motivations in Critical Quantitative Educational Research: A Multimethod Examination Across Higher Education Scholarship and Author Perspectives," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 65(7), pages 1368-1394, November.
    7. Lane, Julie & Manceau, Luiza Maria & de Chantal, Pier-Luc & Chagnon, Alexandre & Cardinal, Michael & Lauzier-Jobin, François & Lanoue, Sèverine, 2024. "Implementing a mental health app library in primary care: A feasibility study," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    8. Zhang, Tingting & Yan, Xiangbin & Wang, William Yu Chung & Chen, Qin, 2021. "Unveiling physicians’ personal branding strategies in online healthcare service platforms," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    9. Chiva-Bartoll, Oscar & Maravé-Vivas, María & Salvador-García, Celina & Valverde-Esteve, Teresa, 2021. "Impact of a physical education service-learning programme on ASD children: A mixed-methods approach," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    10. Macarena Valenzuela-Zubiaur & Héctor Torres-Bustos & Mónica Arroyo-Vázquez & Pablo Ferrer-Gisbert, 2021. "Promotion of Social Innovation through Fab Labs. The Case of ProteinLab UTEM in Chile," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-19, August.
    11. Joseph Friedman & George Karandinos & Laurie Kain Hart & Fernando Montero Castrillo & Nicholas Graetz & Philippe Bourgois, 2019. "Structural vulnerability to narcotics-driven firearm violence: An ethnographic and epidemiological study of Philadelphia’s Puerto Rican inner-city," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(11), pages 1-25, November.
    12. Anna M. Sene-Mir & Mariona Portell & M. Teresa Anguera & Salvador Chacón-Moscoso, 2020. "Manual Material Handling Training: The Effect of Self-Observation, Hetero-Observational and Intrinsic Feedback on Workers’ Knowledge and Behaviour," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-19, November.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Natália L. Figueiredo & João J. M. Ferreira, 2022. "More than meets the partner: a systematic review and agenda for University–Industry cooperation," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 72(1), pages 231-273, February.
    2. Rubén Maneiro & Claudio A Casal & Antonio Ardá & José Luís Losada, 2019. "Application of multivariant decision tree technique in high performance football: The female and male corner kick," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(3), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Sergi Fàbregues & José F. Molina-Azorín, 2017. "Addressing quality in mixed methods research: a review and recommendations for a future agenda," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 51(6), pages 2847-2863, November.
    4. José Losada & Rumen Manolov, 2015. "The process of basic training, applied training, maintaining the performance of an observer," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 49(1), pages 339-347, January.
    5. Shin, Seongmin & Park, Mi Sun & Lee, Hansol & Baral, Himlal, 2022. "The structure and pattern of global partnerships in the REDD+ mechanism," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    6. Karen Birna Thorvaldsdottir & Sigridur Halldorsdottir & Denise M. Saint Arnault, 2022. "Using Mixed Methods Integration to Evaluate the Structure of Help-Seeking Barriers Scale: A Survivor-Centered Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-21, April.
    7. Lopes, João & Farinha, Luís & Ferreira, João J. & Silveira, Paulo, 2018. "Does regional VRIO model help policy-makers to assess the resources of a region? A stakeholder perception approach," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 659-670.
    8. Mohammad Amini Farsani & Esmat Babaii & Maryam Beikmohammadi & Meysam Babaii Farsani, 2022. "Mixed-methods research proficiency for applied linguists: a PLS-path modelling approach," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(5), pages 3337-3362, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:52:y:2018:i:6:d:10.1007_s11135-018-0700-2. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.