Lessons learned from adapting a quantitative to an emergent mixed methods research design in Pakistan during COVID-19

ABSTRACT This article delineates the process through which a quantitative study in the context of Pakistan was adapted into emergent mixed methods research due to COVID-19-related complexities. The in-process data collection was halted abruptly as schools were closed and lockdowns were imposed across Pakistan in the early 2020s due to COVID-19. In response, the quantitative research design was adapted to adjust the research design by adding further research questions and introducing qualitative interviews. COVID-19 increased the complexity in the research context. We argue that mixed methods offer adaptive approaches in disruptive situations which help to deal with the complexities. The paper further suggests that disruption during research occurs in various forms and adaptive procedures should be described as part of the research rather than ignoring them. This article provides a practical example for researchers on using adaptive approaches to mixed methods in a developing country context where the possibilities of disruptions are more rampant.