Abstract
The complexity of social problems addressed by the social work profession makes mixed methods research an essential tool. This literature review examined common quantitative and qualitative techniques used by social work researchers and what mixed methods research may add to social work research. Surveys and in-depth interviews were the most common quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, respectively. The t-test was the most frequently used quantitative data analysis method. Although thematic analysis was the most common qualitative data analysis method, 12% of the qualitative data analysis techniques were not specified. Mixed methods research adds three important elements to social work research: voices of participants, comprehensive analyses of phenomena, and enhanced validity of findings. For these reasons, the teaching and use of mixed methods research remain integral to social work.
Highlights
The complexity of social problems addressed by the social work profession makes mixed methods research an essential tool
To understand the common quantitative and qualitative techniques used by social work researchers and second, to explore what mixed methods research may add to social work research
To build our knowledge on the current state of mixed methods research in social work, this literature review examined the common quantitative and qualitative methods used by social work researchers and inferred the value of mixed methods research for social work based on the foci of the qualitative and quantitative strands
Summary
The complexity of social problems addressed by the social work profession makes mixed methods research an essential tool. This literature review examined common quantitative and qualitative techniques used by social work researchers and what mixed methods research may add to social work research. Mixed methods research adds three important elements to social work research: voices of participants, comprehensive analyses of phenomena, and enhanced validity of findings For these reasons, the teaching and use of mixed methods research remain integral to social work. This article explores the use of mixed methods research in social work through a systematic review of studies that combined quantitative and qualitative methods in published social work journals. To understand the common quantitative and qualitative techniques used by social work researchers and second, to explore what mixed methods research may add to social work research.
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