Which research design allows for the integration of qualitative data into quantitative frameworks?

Mixed methods research is designed specifically to integrate qualitative data into quantitative frameworks, allowing researchers to draw on the strengths of both methodologies. This approach facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of complex research questions by combining numerical data with detailed narrative accounts, enabling deeper insights that purely quantitative or qualitative designs might miss.

For example, a mixed methods study might quantify survey results to assess general trends while also including interviews to explore participant experiences in greater depth. This integration of perspectives enriches the findings and enhances the overall rigor of the research.

Narrative research, case studies, and phenomenological studies, while valuable in their own right, focus primarily on qualitative insights without the systematic incorporation of quantitative techniques. Narrative research centers on storytelling and individual experiences, case studies provide in-depth examination of particular instances or individuals, and phenomenological studies explore lived experiences but do not combine these approaches with quantitative methods.