Learning From the Field: Reflections on the Use of Theory, Mixed Methods and Case Study Design to Explore Implementation and Experience in Mental Health Crisis Services for Children and Young People

This article arises from a theory-informed, sequential, mixed methods project which combined a survey and multiple nested case studies to examine implementation and experience in the context of mental health crisis services for children and young people in England and Wales. Its primary contribution to mixed methods research is to show how theory, mixed methods and case studies can be practicably brought together to improve understanding of complex interventions introduced into complex systems. It makes a further contribution through a reflective exploration of the implementation of mixed methods research in sensitive fields involving vulnerable groups, by specifically exploring: participation and engagement; and fieldwork flexibility, power and control.