The Philosophical Turn to Mixed Methods for Nursing Science

Abstract

In this article, I explore the turn to mixed methods in nursing. I examine the alignment of key characteristics (philosophical underpinnings and the concept of integration) of mixed methods with nursing’s disciplinary perspective and its links with theory. I also provide a brief overview of the history and current status of mixed methods and conclude by looking to the future to suggest an additional twist in the turn to mixed methods for nursing science.

Embracing Paradigmatic Diversity in Nursing

“…15 Mixed-methods research has been positioned in the discipline as a way to advance nursing science. 23 Younas and Sundus 24 demonstrated how DP informed a novel technique known as "tripartite analysis" to integrate qualitative and quantitative data in convergent mixed-methods nursing research. Similarly, in a methodological article by Binnie et al, 25 the authors described DP as a novel worldview and illustrated how it logically informed their study about adults with adverse childhood experiences and their experiences accessing care in emergency departments.…”

“…Mixed-methods research has been positioned in the discipline as a way to advance nursing science 23. Younas and Sundus24 demonstrated how DP informed a novel technique known as “tripartite analysis” to integrate qualitative and quantitative data in convergent mixed-methods nursing research.…”

“Talking table” as a data integration strategy in mixed methods research

“…Designing and executing an integrative strategy is intrinsically a proactive process that involves more than bringing together qualitative and quantitative components at different stages of the study, as it challenges mixed methods researchers to recognize integration as active and reflective relationship building that encompasses the entire research process, involving a variety of relationships and interrelationships. 6 Integration models in analysis range from discussing results, generated separately from different components or phases of a study, by synthesizing data from these different components, to combining data sources or converting data types, to build a combined set of results. While different integration models are appropriate for different research settings and purposes, an overly careful approach to integration can lead to invalid or weakened conclusions, as it does not consider all available information together.…”

“Tabela falante” como estratégia de integração de dados em uma pesquisa de métodos mistos

“…Desenhar e executar uma estratégia integrativa é intrinsecamente um processo proativo que envolve mais do que reunir componentes qualitativos e quantitativos em diferentes fases do estudo, pois desafia os pesquisadores de métodos mistos a reconhecer a integração como construção de relacionamento ativo e reflexivo que abrange todo o processo de pesquisa, envolvendo uma variedade de relações e inter-relações. 6 Os modelos de integração na análise variam desde a discussão de resultados, gerados separadamente de diferentes componentes ou fases de um estudo por meio da síntese de dados desses diferentes componentes, até a combinação de fontes de dados ou conversão de tipos de dados, para construir um conjunto combinado de resultados. Embora diferentes modelos de integração sejam apropriados para diferentes configurações e propósitos de pesquisa, uma abordagem excessivamente cuidadosa para a integração pode gerar conclusões inválidas ou enfraquecidas, por não considerar todas as informações disponíveis em conjunto.…”