Mixed methods is the integration of quantitative and qualitative approaches across the research process. By integrating qual and quant methods, one can achieve a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of research questions, overcoming the limitations inherent to each method alone. Since most epidemiologists are quantitatively trained, it is important to clarify that mixed methods research is not synonymous with qualitative research. Our goal of curating this playlist is to provide epidemiologists with methodological background and strong examples to help bring mixed methods into their research. For those that already use both quantitative and qualitative methods individually, we encourage you to identify opportunities for integrating them through mixed methods research. These readings can help guide you through how to make integration more explicit in your research.

We divided the playlist into methodological guidance and applied examples. Fetters et al. (2013) describe the key mixed methods study designs that Houghton & Paniagua (2023) then apply to core epidemiological principles including causal identification and causal explanations. Palinkas et al (2011) describe mixed methods structure, function, and processes across a review of the implementation science literature, showcasing a diverse range of designs and applications. Finally, Houghton & Qi (2024) present an online tool to facilitate epidemiologists’ design of mixed methods observational studies.

Mixed methods is often hidden in epidemiological work, and mixed methods research examples are almost non-existent in published in epidemiology journals. Our first example comes from outside of epidemiology, specifically from implementation science, where Nevedal et al (2024) describe diffusion and sustainment of 57 evidence-informed practices being implemented across 82 Veteran’s Health Administration facilities. Menard et al (2010) and Seay et al (2017) describe an effect modification between intravaginal hygiene practices and high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) infection among Haitian immigrant women, presenting the results of this exploratory sequential mixed methods study in separate qualitative and quantitative papers.

Collectively, these readings illustrate that mixed methods can enhance epidemiologic research including observational and causal studies as well as interventions and implementation of interventions.