ABSTRACT
Objective:
to explain the research strategies/designs in mixed method studies proposed by Creswell, and to reflect on the applicability of the mixed approaches in scientific nursing research.
Method:
a reflexive theoretical essay based on Creswell as a conductor for reflections on mixed research. The reflection was organized in a guiding axis that relates the basic theoretical constructs of the mixed methods and their applicability in the area of nursing.
Results:
with the explanation of the six strategies of mixed research oriented by the author, including three in the sequential design and three in the concomitant, reflections emerged in the applicability of each of the strategies for scientific research in nursing, as well as practical examples of investigations on the use of scarce national and international literature available in the area.
Conclusion:
mixed methods seem to emerge as the third and new paradigm of scientific research and, once the complexity of the phenomena that can be researched by nursing is recognized, mixed research tends to favor deeper interpretations of its research subject. The researchers of the area must be dedicated to the mixed research project design, and Creswell’s reference/design appears to be advantageous to its apprehension.
DESCRIPTORS:
Research design; Methods; Nursing research; Methodology; Nursing