Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Methods for Program Monitoring and Evaluation: Why Are Mixed Method Designs Best?

Despite significant methodological advances, many program evaluation and monitoring data are of limited use because of an over-reliance on quantitative methods. Qualitative methods inform survey design, identify social and institutional drivers and impacts that are hard to quantify, uncover unanticipated issues, and trace impact pathways. When used together, quantitative and qualitative approaches provide more coherent, reliable, and useful conclusions than does either on its own. This note identifies key elements of good mixed-method design and provides examples of these principles applied in several countries.