Article Journal of Mixed Methods Research XX(X) 1–16 Ó The Author(s) 2012 Reprints and permission: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1558689812445196 http://jmmr.sagepub.com Competently Mixing: Does a Clinical Practice Cultural Competence Framework Fit in Mixed Methods Research? Daniel Ve ´lez Ortiz 1 , Marya R. Sosulski 1 , and Dee Ann Sherwood 1 Abstract The authors describe a model that incorporates cultural competence principles from clinical practice into a mixed methods framework, thus providing a new perspective that reconciles some of the historically perceived differences in paradigmatic stances. The authors present direct connections from each principleto the application of a mixed methods study. An exam- ple of a study of a welfare policy is presented along with a critique concerning the appropriate application of principles of clinical cultural competence. The authors conclude that in applying these principles to mixed methods cultural awareness efforts need to be fostered and encour- aged comprehensively in research as well as education. Keywords mixed methods, cultural competence, research, welfare policy, reconcile Mixed methods research represents an important perspective for reaching deep understanding and making new connections. Historically, mixed methods research emerged within the 20th- century social sciences as a means to address tensions between deductive and inductive approaches. It has evolved significantly in its conception and acceptance as a research practice. Mixed methods research questions are concerned with unknown aspects of phenomena that are answered with information presented in numerical, narrative, and graphic forms (Teddlie & Tashakkori, 2009). However, frictions still exist. In particular, it can be difficult to reconcile differences in paradigms and construct effective ways to combine them (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2003). Mixing methodologies has been compared with the concept of ‘‘biculturalism’’ or mix- ing cultures (Kidder & Fine, 1987). In this way, each methodology that is used represents its own set of values, assumptions, and culture that potentially interact with the other. Using this cultural analogy, mixing methods presents similar kinds of ethical dilemmas as when clinicians interact with members of diverse cultures. 1 Michigan State University, East Lansing MI, USA Corresponding Author: Daniel Ve ´lez Ortiz, School of Social Work and Julian Samora Institute, Michigan State University, 118 Baker Hall, East Lansing MI 48854, USA Email: velezda@msu.edu by guest on March 5, 2015 mmr.sagepub.com Downloaded from