Abstract
The mixed methods, which comprises both quantitative and qualitative research, has developed as a third method which enhances the validity and reliability of research, and offers a reconcilable view of the paradigm dichotomy between quantitative and qualitative research. Mixed methods researchers, using both quantitative and qualitative methods with their two different paradigms, that is, positivism and constructivism, cannot disregard their philosophical premises. The paradigm supported by most of mixed methods researchers is pragmatism, but dialectic is also convincing. Mixed methods researchers have developed a common visual notation, but not a common typology of mixed methods. The author suggested that the studies classified as mixed methods must have complete study designs for both quantitative and qualitative research. The author looked up various types of mixed methods for the last 10 years in the Journal of the Japan Academy of Nursing Science. The number of mixed methods for the last 10 years has not changed, compared with the previous 23 years. It would be expected that the interaction between the quantitative and qualitative approaches would occur not only within one study design, but also between different studies.
