Qual Quant (2009) 43:265–275 DOI 10.1007/s11135-007-9105-3 ORIGINAL PAPER A typology of mixed methods research designs Nancy L. Leech · Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie Received: 15 June 2006 / Accepted: 15 October 2006 / Published online: 27 March 2007 © Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2007 Abstract The mixed methods paradigm is still in its adolescence, and, thus, is still relatively unknown and confusing to many researchers. In general, mixed methods research represents research that involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data in a single study or in a series of studies that investigate the same underlying phenomenon. Over the last several years, a plethora of research designs have been developed. However, the number of designs that currently prevail leaves the doctoral student, the beginning researcher, and even the experienced researcher who is new to the field of mixed methods research with the challenge of selecting optimal mixed methods designs. This paper presents a three-dimen- sional typology of mixed methods designs that represents an attempt to rise to the challenge of creating an integrated typology of mixed methods designs. An example for each design is included as well as a notation system that fits our eight-design framework. Keywords Mixed methods · Research design · Mixed methods design 1 Introduction Understanding the various types of research designs can be a daunting task for many beginning researchers, doctoral students, and others. For years, the choice has seemed to be dichoto- mous; one could choose either a quantitative design or a qualitative design. Yet, there is a third viable choice, that of mixed methods. Mixed methods research, which involves combining This paper won the James E. McLean outstanding paper award. N. L. Leech (B ) School of Education, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Campus Box 106, P.O. Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217-3364, USA e-mail: nancy.leech@cudenver.edu A. J. Onwuegbuzie University of South Florida, Tampa, USA 123