Mixed Methods Inquiry in Sociology

Abstract

Sociology is a discipline in which the idea of a multi-method research design has held credence for many years, far before the term mixed methods research was coined. This article charts the implementation and framing of this approach over time to better understand the place and state of mixed methods research in the discipline today. Several recent applications of mixed method research by sociologists are highlighted to demonstrate the range of projects being conducted. There are challenges to further development of mixed methods inquiry within Sociology; however, the current epistemological base of the approach—pragmatism—promotes the merits of a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches and the discipline is better for it.