Prevalence of Mixed Methods Research in Education Journals

Abstract

None of the research methods executed in various disciplines is error free. However, the use of mixed methods research (MMR) has proven to reduce research errors hence, increasing its validity and reliability. As such, the significance of MMR research in education research has been increasing from time to time due to its strengths overriding qualitative and quantitative paradigms when each is singly applied. However, education researchers need to be competent and determined to apply mixed methods. This study examine the prevalence of MMR articles published in three peer-reviewed online education journals (n=333) in period of ten year from 2004 to 2013. Findings from the study suggest that mixed methods research account for 28% of articles published in the three journals over one decade of review. The QUAL-quan design dominates the MMR articles constituting 20%. Importantly, the results indicate that there is an increase of prevalence of mixed methods research articles in education over time. Though, the prevalence rate is very low and not constant year wise. Our findings are limited to the selected three education journals, whereby studies on other educational journals of different disciplines might result into different conclusions. Keywords: Mixed Methods, Education Research, Qualitative Methods, Quantitative Methods, Education Journals