Contribution to Mixed Methods Research
The fact that researchers using mixed research methods do not tend to think about the philosophy of the study and focus only on results prevents the integration of qualitative and quantitative methods (Bryman, 2006). Therefore, to be able to integrate mixed methods research, researchers should initially construct their studies according to the relevant philosophical approach, rather than adding the philosophical approach to their studies later. In this study, we supported this idea in parallel with the literature. In addition, we suggested to researchers who will use the mixed research method that it is the right way to start planning the study with philosophy, and we presented a roadmap on how to plan according to the philosophy on which the study is based.
Considering that philosophical approaches underlie every stage of the studies in the field of social sciences (Bryman, 2007), it emerges that these philosophical approaches must be accurately reflected in the studies (Ivankova & Plano Clark, 2018). Therefore, this study will shed light on researchers in this sense.