Demystifying Integration: Doctoral Strategies for Bridging QUAL + QUAN in Mixed Methods Research

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 7:45 am - Gold 4
  In Roundtable Session: Teaching and mentoring mixed methods research: Highlighting challenges and opportunities for novices and experts

Abstract

This paper offers practical recommendations and reflections from doctoral students who engaged in qualitative and quantitative data integration during dissertation research. These insights, grounded in participation in a collaborative MMR dissertation support group, illuminate processes, motivations, and challenges scholars face when synthesizing data across paradigms. By centering student voices as active co-constructors of methodological knowledge and documenting innovative peer learning structures, this work addresses persistent gaps in MMR training while modeling transformative pedagogical approaches. The goal is to provide educators, advisors, and graduate students with actionable strategies that move beyond theoretical discussions to center real-world application. These strategies promote deeper engagement with integration as a developmental practice, contributing to the preparation of justice-minded researchers for collaborative, community-centered approaches to challenges.

Authors

• Monica Hernandez-Johnson, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Mayra Marquez-Mendez, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Sheetal Survase, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Sarah Hahn Campbell, University of Northern Colorado