A case for qualitatively driven mixed methods in nursing research: a methodological discussion

Mixed methodology continues to grow as a rigorous and respected research design. However, the value of qualitatively driven mixed methods research within nursing is underrepresented. Qualitatively driven mixed methods, where qualitative data dominate meaning-making, have the potential to capture critical experiential elements pertinent to nursing research while supporting empirical rigour. This methodology paper argues for the importance of qualitatively driven mixed methods approaches within nursing research to enable greater understanding of complex phenomenon. Through discussion and case example the role of qualitatively driven mixed methods, including within a sequential explanatory design, are presented. Nurses and midwives are well placed to design and conduct health research, and this paper provides methodological guidance and advances epistemological understanding of qualitatively driven mixed methods within research to improve staff and patient outcomes. For health and social care policy, these methods provide rich contextual data that can inform policy development and evidence-based practice. This methodological discussion piece highlights how qualitatively driven mixed methods enable greater understanding of complex phenomenon and experiential insights.