Mix-method research in applied psychology

Abstract

This paper presents a critical perspective on mix-method research in applied psychology. The starting point is a review concerning the recent development of both quantitative and qualitative paradigms, in the effort of showing how their respective limits may be seen as overlapping. A detailed historical review of the first mix-method approaches is offered, along with a critical presentation of the Methodological Appropriateness Paradigm of Patton. The paper concludes with a brief consideration concerning the problem of synthesis in doing mix-method research.