Mixed-methods research to explore assessment, risk and decisions in child protection and welfare

Assessment, judgement and decision making in social work are complex and highly contextualised practices often described as entailing a combination of art and science. One of the greatest challenges in related social work research on decision making is collecting useful data and selecting appropriate research designs to understand influences and outcomes. Mixed-methods research integrates qualitative and quantitative methods. It derives from different epistemological foundations, designs and any combination of approaches to data collection and analysis. Mixed-methods research incorporates the complementary strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative methods and addresses relationships between data, including any dissonance that might arise. Despite the acknowledged advantages, there are notable gaps in the European scholarship. In this article, we outline the theoretical rationale for mixed-methods research and present two illustrative studies that demonstrate distinct approaches. Through the examples, we highlight not only the enriched understanding that mixed-methods research provides for our field but also the interpretative challenges and nuances that arise. Finally, we highlight some of the myriad opportunities for future studies and advocate for more mixed-methods research to advance our understanding and improve outcomes for children and families.