Applying Mixed Methods in Action Research: Methodological Potentials and Advantages

Mixed methods research has the capacity to intersect with other approaches, such as action research, by adding a solid methodological foundation and creating an integrated approach for addressing complex practical problems. Conceptual, philosophical, and procedural similarities between mixed methods and action research make integration possible and justifiable. Combining the two approaches can produce more scientifically sound and transferable results by synergistically integrating qualitative stakeholder engagement with quantitative outcomes to inform action/intervention planning, implementation, evaluation, and monitoring. We describe similarities between the two approaches, discuss advantages of applying mixed methods in action research, and illustrate applications using a methodological framework that captures their synergistic combination. Using this framework, we describe how two studies employed mixed methods in various phases of the action research cycle.