A Typology of Mixed Methods Sampling Designs in Social Science Research

This paper provides a framework for developing sampling designs in mixed
methods research. First, we present sampling schemes that have been
associated with quantitative and qualitative research. Second, we discuss
sample size considerations and provide sample size recommendations for
each of the major research designs for quantitative and qualitative
approaches. Third, we provide a sampling design typology and we
demonstrate how sampling designs can be classified according to time
orientation of the components and relationship of the qualitative and
quantitative sample. Fourth, we present four major crises to mixed methods
research and indicate how each crisis may be used to guide sampling design
considerations. Finally, we emphasize how sampling design impacts the
extent to which researchers can generalize their findings.