What defines "mixed methods" research in sociology?

Mixed methods research in sociology is defined as an approach that integrates both quantitative and qualitative techniques in the research process. This combination allows researchers to address research questions more comprehensively by taking advantage of the strengths of both types of methodologies. Quantitative methods provide statistical data and measurable outcomes, while qualitative methods offer insights into participants' experiences, perspectives, and meanings. By using mixed methods, researchers can triangulate their findings, enhancing the validity and richness of their results. This approach is particularly valuable in sociology, where understanding human behavior and social dynamics often requires both numerical data and contextual understanding.

The other choices reflect narrower approaches to research. Focusing solely on qualitative research limits the types of data and insights that can be gathered. A strictly quantitative analysis ignores the complexities of human experience that qualitative data can illuminate. Prioritizing observational studies over surveys presents only one specific method of data collection and does not capture the range of techniques that mixed methods encompass. Thus, the approach that best represents mixed methods research is the one that acknowledges the importance of both qualitative and quantitative data.