Feature Topic: Mixed Methods in the Organizational Sciences
Organizational scholars have relied on a variety of methodological
approaches to address research questions, including quantitative and
qualitative methods. Along with using quantitative methods in some studies
and qualitative methods in other works, researchers can also use mixed
methods designs combining quantitative and qualitative methods in the same
study. The central premise of relying on mixed methods is that the use of
quantitative and qualitative approaches in combination may provide a better
understanding of phenomena and relationships than either approach alone.
Mixed methods research has developed rapidly in the last few years, emerging
as a research approach with a recognized name and distinct identity. In some
fields, such as education and health sciences, this methodological approach
is becoming increasingly articulated and recognized as the third
methodological movement (alongside qualitative and quantitative research).
However, the attention devoted to mixed methods research in the
organizational sciences is very low in relation to these fields. This
presents organizational researchers with opportunities to better study
complex phenomena, as well as challenges about how to conduct mixed methods
studies. Knowledge about mixed methods research can stimulate researchers to
better define and analyze innovative problems and research questions. Mixed
methods can also help to advance the organizational sciences both by asking
new questions and by developing stronger answers to existing and new
questions.
Given this context, the purpose of this feature topic is to advance
knowledge and practice regarding the design and application of mixed methods
research in the organizational sciences. In particular, we seek papers that
describe such advances and explain or illustrate why it is important that
organizational scholars understand and embrace mixed methods research and
how we can better leverage the potential of this methodological approach.
Papers that address, but are not necessarily restricted to, the following
topics are most welcome:
* Philosophy of science issues related to mixed methods research.
* Explanations of how mixed methods can help to carry out context-specific
research.
* Evaluations of how mixed methods can enhance organizational research by
carrying out multilevel studies and bridging macro and micro inquiry.
* Guidance on how mixed methods can simultaneously examine outcomes and
process issues.
* Analysis of the implications and opportunities of mixed methods to bridge
the science-practice gap, emphasizing the relevance of mixed methods studies
to practice.
* Development and validation of new measures using a mixed methods approach.
* Quality issues in mixed methods in organizational sciences.
* Innovative mixed methods research designs, data collection, and analysis.
We invite empirical, conceptual, methodological and literature review
papers. All articles published in this feature topic must make strong
contributions to improving our understanding and practice of mixed methods
in organizational sciences. Papers whose primary goal is building or testing
theory about substantive relationships among organizational phenomena are
not good fits with this feature topic. Our hope is to attract papers that
offer more than just illustrative examples of mixed methods, as well as
papers that move the notion of 'mixed methods' beyond simply having a main
method and adding a bit of another method without integration.
The Guest Editors for this Feature Topic are Jose F. Molina-Azorin,
University of Alicante, Spain (
jf.molina@ua.es); Donald Bergh, University of
Denver (
dbergh@du.edu); Kevin Corley, Arizona State University
(
kevin.corley@asu.edu) and David Ketchen, Auburn University
(
ketchda@auburn.edu). We welcome any questions or queries about possible
submissions.
In order to be considered for publication in this feature topic, a 5-7 page
(double-spaced) proposal/summary should be sent by email to
jf.molina@ua.es
by June 30, 2014. These summaries will be used as a screen to ensure that
the focus and scope of each paper is appropriate to the above aims of the
feature topic. The proposal should clearly articulate the methodological
contribution to mixed methods research. The Guest Editors will review
summaries and authors will be contacted with invitations to submit
full-length papers. Authors with accepted proposals must submit their
completed manuscripts by January 15, 2015. All completed papers will undergo
the standard double-blind ORM review process and must meet the standards of
the ORM Editorial Policy Statement (see
http://orm.sagepub.com). Manuscripts
should be submitted via the ORM website
(http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/orm).