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Futures in Methods

Mixed methods for understanding interpersonal communication processes

Brooke Wolfe
Erika Oh
Elizabeth Dorrance Hall
Michigan State University

Mixed method research is challenging, requires additional resources, and scholars are rarely equally competent in multiple methods. Despite these limitations, mixed method research allows research to better reflect the social world as researchers can triangulate their findings across multiple data points. Triangulation involves the corroboration and/or verification of results through the comparison of multiple types of data about phenomenon. This process seeks to utilize the combination of methods to offset any weaknesses inherent in any method. This working group will discuss the opportunities and challenges of using mixed methods to examine interpersonal communication processes. Panelists will review the state of mixed method scholarship in their research area and share how mixed methods can help us better examine understudied communities and research questions. Panelists will conclude by discussing practical advice on how to navigate mixed method research in academic publishing including responding to reviewer feedback, resisting pressure to divide studies into one method, and how to integrate mixed method research into one’s scholarly identity. Further, we will share resources and explore which intersections are well suited for future mixed method research.