Using mixed methods in cardiovascular nursing research: Answering the why, the how, and the what's next.

Mixed methods is an innovative research approach that can be applied to understand complex cardiovascular phenomena. A mixed methods study involves collecting both quantitative and qualitative data and intentionally integrating the data to provide a better understanding of the phenomena than can be achieved by using a quantitative or qualitative approach alone. Conducting a mixed methods study requires planning and careful attention to methodological rigour in the data collection, analysis, and integration phases. This paper provides an overview of the mixed methods approach and describes its application to cardiovascular nursing science.