Constructing the Nexus in Mixed-Methods Designs: Concepts and Applications

Abstract

Mixed-methods research designs have been flavor of the month in political science – and especially in the field of comparative public policy – for quite a while now. Yet the debate on criteria to evaluate their suitability has just begun. One of the most important topics that have emerged in this regard is the construction of the nexus between the respective qualitative and quantitative parts. In research practice, this junction of the two approaches is rarely spelled out thoroughly and many self-proclaimed mixed-methods-studies simply complement a quantitative analysis with anecdotic evidence from case studies. However, the methodological handling of this junction is crucial. (Nested designs are promising, but certainly neither the last word nor the only feasible solution.) The panel is intended to provide a forum to discuss ways of constructing the nexus on a conceptual level and to demonstrate innovative applications. Approaches that bridge the qualitative-quantitative divide are especially welcome, yet contributions regarding new ways of combining different methods within the same paradigm are also invited. Keywords: Mixed Methods, Nexus, Applications

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