Addressing the Gaps in Mixed Research Methods in Rwanda: A Critical Perspective

Mixed Research Methods (MRM), which combine both qualitative and quantitative techniques, present an effective approach for tackling intricate research inquiries. However, despite their widespread use, MRM continues to face numerous challenges that hinder the overall quality and reliability of research. This article thoroughly examines several critical issues in MRM, including difficulties in merging data, lack of clear methodological processes, researcher bias, and the scarcity of interdisciplinary expertise. Through a combination of literature review and fieldwork experience from health sciences, education, and public health research conducted in Rwanda, we propose practical strategies to bridge these challenges. We emphasize the importance of refining methodological frameworks, increasing training, fostering researcher reflexivity, and establishing clearer ethical protocols to enhance MRM in future research endeavors.