title: Mixed methods research - the best of both worlds?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There has been a bias towards quantitative research approaches within manual therapy, which may have resulted in a narrow understanding of manual therapy practice. The aim of this Masterclass is to make a contribution to the expansion of methodologies used in manual therapy enquiry by discussing mixed methods research (MMR), a methodology which utilises both qualitative and quantitative methods within a single study in order to provide more comprehensive insights.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review rationales for MMR, as well as some of the common design options and potential difficulties. The paper also discusses theoretical frameworks that have been used to underpin qualitative and quantitative research, and ongoing debates about the possibility of combining them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complexities associated with health and manual therapy cannot always be investigated satisfactorily by using a single research method. Some issues require a more comprehensive understanding, which may be provided by combining the strengths of quantitative and qualitative methods in a mixed methods study.
authors.affiliation: Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK; Centre for Health Research, University of Brighton, UK. Electronic address: H.VanGriensven2@brighton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Griensven
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Research, University of Brighton, UK.
authors.forename: Ann P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Research, University of Brighton, UK.
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design
keywords: Mixed methods research; Qualitative; Quantitative; Research philosophy