The Role of Time in Fully Longitudinal Mixed-Methods Studies: A Methodological Review

• In Event: Design Considerations in Mixed-Methods Research

Abstract

There is growing interest in applying fully longitudinal mixed methods (MM) designs to study complex and dynamic phenomena. One challenge associated with this approach is conceptualizing the role of time within the MM study approach. The purpose of this methodological review is to describe how researchers have conceptualized time within fully longitudinal MM studies and the implications of the conceptualization for the analyses and integration. The team implemented systematic procedures to select and extract information from journal articles. The results describe a set of key methodological decisions related to the temporal component of fully longitudinal MM designs and provide researchers with guidance for defining time and designing the role that time plays within quantitative, qualitative, and integration analyses.

Authors

• Vicki L. Plano Clark, University of Cincinnati

• Karen Schumacher, University of California - San Francisco

• Alana M. Kennedy, University of Cincinnati

• Jonelle Prideaux, University of Cincinnati