Avoiding common pitfalls in mixed methods research?

Abstract

This column is intended to address the kinds of knotty problems and dilemmas with which many scholars grapple in studying health professions education. In this article, the authors focus on how to help mentees take an analytic approach to improve their mixed methods work. Mixed methods research has increased in popularity and with that comes both strengths and weaknesses in these studies. We suggest key elements to look for when reading a mixed methods research paper. We also provide guidance around weaknesses we have noticed in reporting.