The Adoption and Practice of Mixed Methods: U.S. Trends in Federally Funded Health-Related Research

Abstract

Mixed methods research that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches is an emergent method that is achieving increasing acceptance and use across disciplines. Despite the importance of funding to the adoption of a new research approach, there is no clear understanding of U.S. funding agencies’ support for mixed methods. This study examines recent trends in health-related mixed methods projects funded by the National Institutes of Health and similar federal agencies. The results indicate that mixed methods projects are getting funded and their numbers are increasing but that their prevalence is still low overall. The nature of the projects indicates that researchers are adopting many conventions of the field of mixed methods research and planning approaches that integrate advanced qualitative and quantitative designs and procedures. The article concludes with recommendations to enhance the dynamic relationship between researchers’ decisions to propose mixed methods studies and existing extramural funding mechanisms.