**2. What is mixed methods research (MMR)?**

I want to start this chapter with the "Classification", the "five purposes for mixing in mixed-methods research":


Next to the five purposes MMR has five essential characteristics: (1) the collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data, (2) the use of rigorous procedures in conducting quantitative and qualitative research, (3) the integration of the findings, (4) the use of mixed method designs and (5) the use of a conceptual framework [6]. By "Integration", we mean integrating quantitative and qualitative research through our research teams, philosophies, research process, and research methods.

A mixed methods research project provides more insight than qualitative or quantitative data alone by greater mining data depth. The different perspectives from linking enable the databases to "talk" to each other. We can compare the two database results and follow up quantitative results with qualitative data collection.

#### **2.1 Core designs**

There are three different core designs: convergent design, explanatory sequential design, and exploratory sequential design. A plan's importance is: identifying a theoretical framework, writing a mixed methods question, and writing a mixed method study aim, composing the study using a writing structure that matches the design, developing a joint display for integration, identifying the methodological/validity issues in design, drawing a diagram of configuration, identifying the type of mixed methods design and creating a title for the project.

The convergent design qualitative interviews, analysis, quantitative survey, and analysis stand alone in the first phase. Then they are merged and an interpretation follows. You should choose a convergent design when your mixed method project intends to compare results, develop broader products, validate data, and build cases. It can be helpful when you need rapid data collection. It is also beneficial when you have equal emphasis on both quantitative and qualitative data (**Figure 1**).

*A Plea for Mixed Methods Research in the Field of Counseling DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.104781*

The explanatory sequential design has three phases. In the first phase, the quantitative survey and analysis of the qualitative interviews and comments will be explained in the second phase. In the third, an interpretation follows (**Figure 2**).

The explanatory sequential design starts with collecting quantitative data through a cross-sectional web-based survey, which delivers numeric data. It follows an analysis of the data through data screening, providing descriptive statistics and factor loadings. In the case selection, an interview protocol will be developed, participant dorm will be selected and interviewed.

The collection of qualitative data happens through documents and telephone interviews. It makes up the text and image data. Lastly, the qualitative data analysis follows a cross-thematic study and delivers a cross-thematic matrix and a visual model of multiple case analyses.

You should choose an explanatory sequential design when your mixed method project intends to explain surprising, contradictory, outlier results or results that do not match theory or form groups/cases for further analysis. Other reasons could be when you have time to conduct your study in phases or emphasize starting a project from a quantitative perspective.

The third core design is the exploratory sequential design.

**Figure 2.**

*The explanatory sequential design [6].*

#### **Figure 3.** *Exploratory sequential design [6].*

As illustrated in **Figure 3** this design has three phases. In the first phase, interviews, observations, and other qualitative methods are conducted and analyses are made. The analysis of qualitative data leads to the development of a quantitative device.

The second phase is the quantitative phase, which includes an instrument design or intervention design. Then follows a quantitative test of an instrument or intervention in phase 3, which leads to an interpretation. "We can first explore qualitatively, and then test out the ideas quantitatively" [6]. Afterward, quantitative data will be collected and analyzed and an interpretation follows.

An exploratory sequential design should be chosen when your mixed methods project intends to build and test an intervention, instrument, survey, app or website, or new variables. Other reasons could be when you emphasize starting your project qualitatively or when you have time to collect in phases over time.

Lastly, a short comment about complex designs. Typically, complex applications are used when researchers have multiple research phases, multiyear research projects, large funded projects, multiple researchers, or the inclusion of mixed methods core designs within different phases of research [7].
