“What Glitters Is Not Always Gold”: Examining the Discourse of Limitations in Applied Linguistics Mixed Methods Research

As pivotal components of academic discourse, limitations embrace multiple structures, serve different roles, and contribute to the rigor and quality of studies. Thus, solidly navigating them is quite essential in all research undertakings. However, they have received scant empirical attention across various disciplines, especially in applied linguistics (AL), where issues of language come to the fore. Among methodological orientations, mixed methods research (MMR) is perfectly suited to address the complex nature of language‐related inquiries. Hence, this investigation built upon a credible framework for the discourse of limitations in light of their domains, functions, and specificities to examine 215 AL MMR studies over 10 years (2014–2023). It was disclosed that they were methodologically oriented, mostly lacked a detailed account of rigor, and did not contain any limitations unique to the language of MMR. The outcomes of this study would consolidate the practices of AL researchers both theoretically and practically. It would also nurture the knowledge of higher education students and research course instructors by raising their methodological and theoretical awareness, enhancing the overall quality of MMR practices in AL as a burgeoning field. Further discussions about the implications and future research are discussed.