Introduction
Research Questions
- What are qualitative methods and why use them?
- How can rigor and relevance be prioritized in qualitative inquiry?
- What are key considerations for designing mixed methods studies? How can researchers ensure rigor in mixed methods work?
- What are strategies for effectively integrating qualitative and quantitative strand in a study?
- How can qualitative and mixed method approaches promote equity and inclusion in research?
On October 19—20, 2022, the Administration for Children and Families’ (ACF) Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) hosted the 2022 Methods Meeting, entitled Applying Mixed Methods and Qualitative Approaches to Social Policy Questions. The convening covered qualitative and mixed method approaches in social policy research and evaluation. This document provides a list of resources for readers who wish to learn more about these topics. Resources were compiled from the meeting topic memorandum, speakers’ presentations, question-and-answer sessions at the meeting, and a literature review conducted by Insight Policy Research. Each section in the document lists relevant resources categorized around frequently asked questions.
Purpose
This list compiles resources discussed in and expounding on presentations from the 2022 Methods Meeting. Readers can use the resources to further their understanding of the concepts shared by the meeting presenters.
Key Findings and Highlights
The resource list includes articles and books that offer foundational descriptions of qualitative inquiry and some of the methodologies within this strand of research. The resource list shares a series of articles and books that identify strategies for ensuring rigor and relevance, two principles OPRE seeks to promote in all its evaluations (in addition to transparency, independence, and ethics), in qualitative studies and mixed methods work. Resources included in the list also describe approaches to integrating qualitative and quantitative methods. The list includes resources that illuminate how qualitative and mixed method designs can engage communities affected by research.
Methods
This brief was developed by reviewing the resources shared by presenters at the OPRE 2022 Methods Meeting, the meeting topic memorandum, and the question-and-answer sessions at the meeting; and by conducting a literature review.
Citation
Wagner, H., & Wright, D. (2022). Understanding Qualitative and Mixed Method Approaches: Resources for Further Reading (OPRE Report 2023-006). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation.