Overview
Mixed methods designs fail when the quantitative and qualitative strands run in parallel but never genuinely integrate — producing two separate studies reported in the same paper. Integration requires a specific design where each strand's findings build on or are explained by the other. The design type determines the integration point: convergent designs integrate at interpretation; explanatory sequential designs integrate by using quantitative results to select qualitative participants; exploratory sequential designs integrate by using qualitative findings to design quantitative instruments.
The Mixed Methods Design Framework selects the design type based on the research question's integration goal, specifies the integration point and how it works mechanically, and designs each strand with the specific purpose its role in the integration requires.