Research and evaluation : the practices, politics, and possibilities of Mixed methods social inquiry

For several decades now, researchers and evaluators around the globe have turned to a mixed methods approach to social inquiry as a strategy for "better understanding" the important social phenomena being studied. One accomplishment of this time period is the elaboration of varied methodological framework(s) and approaches for mixed methods practice by many theorists and practitioners. It is now important to turn our attention to the politics of mixed methods social inquiry, which can also enlighten our thinking about mixed methods possibilities, including the contributions that mixed methods social inquiry can make to our increasingly troubled world. Within social science, politics generally refers to the values that are advanced by a given study. Values are most commonly conveyed through our designated inquiry purpose and audience, key inquiry questions, and accompanying methodological design.

This presentation will engage this important topic using the formal language of methodology and the common language of storytelling. [Publisher's text].