The Quality of Mixed Methods Research in the Policing Field

• In Event: Research Issues Arising from Police-Community Interactions

Abstract

Mixed methods research is becoming much more common in the policing field. Past research indicates that policing articles are incorporating mixed methods at a greater rate than other articles in the criminology and criminal justice discipline. What remains unclear, however, is the actual quality of this growing body of mixed methods policing research. This mixed methods systematic literature review addresses the question: how methodologically sound are the articles in the policing mixed methods field? Using a modified version of the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool measure, our preliminary analysis of 31 policing mixed methods articles indicates that there is room for improvement in the mixed methods policing field in areas of design description as well as rationale for using mixed methods. Incorporating mixed methods in policing research can provide ample benefits but without quality research those benefits fall apart.

Authors

• Leanna Ireland, Virginia Tech

• Stacey Clifton, Virginia Tech