Mixed methods research in psychological science has undergone significant evolution since its origins in the 1980s, emerging as a powerful paradigm capable of bridging the longstanding divide between qualitative and quantitative methodologies. While early debates revolved around entrenched positions and the feasibility of integration, recent decades have witnessed a surge in scholarly activity, widespread adoption, and deeper methodological innovations. Despite this progress, the rapid growth has resulted in a wide spectrum of approaches, conceptual disagreements (such as the distinction between mixed methods and multimethods), and variable design taxonomies. The field still grapples with the challenge of achieving true integration and conceptual clarity, particularly as mixed methods approaches become increasingly predominant across psychology and the broader social sciences.
Recent scholarship highlights both the rich diversity of mixed methods studies and the variability in their methodological rigor and transparency. While more fields are embracing mixed methods designs, concerns persist about the appropriateness, fidelity, and quality of their application—issues made more urgent by a lack of clear validity criteria specifically adapted to psychological research. Innovative work on dataset transformation, data integration, and systematic observation has facilitated new possibilities, yet inconsistencies in reporting and application may compromise quality and reproducibility. This underscores the pressing need for rigorous frameworks, robust quality standards, and clear guidelines to aid both emerging and established researchers in designing and reporting high-caliber mixed methods studies.
This Research Topic aims to advance the quality, conceptual clarity, and practical application of mixed methods research in psychological science. By foregrounding the "Gordian knot" of mixed methods—issues surrounding the critical integration of qualitative and quantitative elements—this collection seeks studies that not only claim, but robustly demonstrate, methodological innovation or insight. Contributions are encouraged to address both central concerns (such as integration, conceptual frameworks, and quality criteria) and secondary elements, including dataset transformation, analytical technique development, and the use of systematic observation as a mixed method. Rigorous standards will be applied to ensure that all accepted manuscripts offer substantive conceptual, methodological, or applied contributions to the field.
The focus of this Research Topic is on innovative mixed methods research and methodological development specifically within psychological science. Studies must explicitly show substantive engagement with mixed methods approaches beyond nominal claims. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Conceptual frameworks and philosophical foundations of mixed methods in psychology • Development of design taxonomies and classification systems for mixed methods • Strategies for rigorous integration of qualitative and quantitative data • Dataset transformation and analytical techniques unique to mixed methods • Quality criteria, validity issues, and protocols for psychological mixed methods research • Systematic observation as a mixed method in psychological studies • Empirical examples illustrating best practices and lessons learned • Reflections on methodological pluralism and heterogeneity in the field
As an appendix, the following types of manuscripts will be considered: Original research, technological proposals, theoretical contributions, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and perspectives.
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Case Report
Conceptual Analysis
Data Report
Editorial
FAIR² Data
FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
General Commentary
Hypothesis and Theory
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
