Mixed method designs in implementation research.
This paper describes the application of mixed method designs in implementation research in 22 mental health services research studies published in peer-reviewed journals over the last 5 years. Our analyses revealed 7 different structural arrangements of qualitative and quantitative methods, 5 different functions of mixed methods, and 3 different ways of linking quantitative and qualitative data together. Complexity of design was associated with number of aims or objectives, study context, and phase of implementation examined. The findings provide suggestions for the use of mixed method designs in implementation research.
Palinkas
Lawrence A
LA
School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0411, USA. Palinkas@usc.edu
Aarons
Gregory A
GA
Horwitz
Sarah
S
Chamberlain
Patricia
P
Hurlburt
Michael
M
Landsverk
John
J
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D012107:Research Design