Content Analysis in Mixed Methods Research

Abstract

This chapter aims to present the philosophical background of mixed methods approaches, demonstrate how they are used in the context of nursing science, and provide examples of how content analysis can be applied in this research approach. Mixed methods approaches are relevant to nursing science as they allow researchers to gain insight into little-explored research topics by using qualitative methods to focus on human experiences and quantitative methods to translate these experiences into clearly defined concepts. The value of qualitative methods in mixed methods approaches is that they can reveal information that would have been impossible to uncover through quantitative methodologies alone. The chapter concludes with a critical evaluation of the benefits and challenges of mixed methods approaches.