Giddings, LGrant, B2011-12-192011-12-1920062006Contemporary Nurse, vol.23pp.3 - 111037-6178https://hdl.handle.net/10292/3172Mixed methods research is becoming increasingly popular in the health and social science disciplines. The aim of this article is to give an overview of the varieties of mixed methods designs. We begin by situating mixed methods research in the context of a paradigmatic framework which assists a researcher in making decisions concerning the design of their study. Although the most commonly used mixed methods designs are underpinned by positivist/postpositivist assumptions, the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods can be used within any research paradigm.Copyright in all back volume, current and submitted material to Contemporary Nurse (ISSN 1037-6178) is vested in eContent Management Pty Ltd - in any medium, form, combination or format. Permission to reproduce material from the Contemporary Nurse journal, which falls outside the provisions of the Australian Copyright Act 1968, should be sought from the copyright owner at: info@e-contentmanagement.com.Mixed methodsQualitative ResearchQuantitative researchParadigmsPostpositivismJournal ArticleOpenAccess1433