Advancing the Classification of Mixed Methods Research Questions

Clearly articulated research questions shape the overall methodology and design in mixed methods research. To date, only one classification of mixed methods research questions has been proposed which includes methods-focused, content-focused, and combination mixed methods research questions. This research note proposes three additional types of mixed methods questions that explicitly address the integration procedures and relationships among the quantitative and the qualitative strands in a mixed methods study. The newly proposed questions are integration-explicating questions, relationship-elucidating questions, and three-way mixed methods questions. This paper adds to the field of mixed methods research by offering new insights into the types of questions that can be formulated to articulate the mixed methods rationale and integration intent when using this research approach.