Mixed methods research in mental health nursing.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Mental Health Research
• Psychiatric Nursing

Background:

• Mixed methods research is gaining traction in mental health and psychiatric nursing.
• Literature searches reveal few studies explicitly identify as mixed methods, especially 'embedded' designs.
• The current identification methods are insufficient for this growing research approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the history, philosophy, and types of mixed methods research.
• To illustrate mixed methods designs with examples from mental health nursing.
• To address challenges in identifying mixed methods research in psychiatric nursing and propose solutions.

Main Methods:

• Literature searches in Scotland and the USA.
• Discussion of mixed methods research definitions, types, and philosophical underpinnings.
• Analysis of examples of mixed methods research in mental health nursing.

Main Results:

• Few mental health nursing studies are explicitly titled as mixed methods research.
• The term 'embedded' is used, but these are rarely identified as mixed methods embedded studies.
• Various mixed methods designs (convergent parallel, embedded, explanatory, exploratory) are illustrated.

Conclusions:

• There is a need for clearer identification of mixed methods research in mental health nursing.
• Implementing mixed methods research requires understanding its types and philosophical basis.
• Proposed solutions aim to improve the discoverability of mixed methods studies in psychiatric nursing literature.