A Typology of Mixed Methods Sampling Designs in Social Science Research

TLDR

The paper proposes a framework for designing sampling strategies in mixed methods studies. The authors outline sampling schemes for quantitative and qualitative research, offer sample‑size recommendations, introduce a typology classifying designs by time orientation and sample relationships, and identify four key crises to guide design choices. The study concludes that sampling design critically affects the generalizability of mixed methods research findings.

Abstract

This paper provides a framework for developing sampling designs in mixed methods research. First, we present sampling schemes that have been associated with quantitative and qualitative research. Second, we discuss sample size considerations and provide sample size recommendations for each of the major research designs for quantitative and qualitative approaches. Third, we provide a sampling design typology and we demonstrate how sampling designs can be classified according to time orientation of the components and relationship of the qualitative and quantitative sample. Fourth, we present four major crises to mixed methods research and indicate how each crisis may be used to guide sampling design considerations. Finally, we emphasize how sampling design impacts the extent to which researchers can generalize their findings.