Mixed Methods Approaches

Interest in mixed methods, particularly those combining qualitative and quantitative data, has grown substantially since the 1990s. This entry defines and describes mixed methods approaches in the social sciences, traces the history of the development and use of these approaches, and discusses the benefits these approaches provide. Specific examples of combining quantitative and qualitative data in studies of later life families are presented in detail to illustrate the ways in which mixed methods can be used to expand understanding of social processes. Keywords: family relations; late life; mixed methods