The 2nd International Mixed Methods International Research Association (MMIRA) conference will take place August 3-5th 2016 at Durham University, U.K. This conference will provide an outstanding opportunity for attendees to examine the role of mixed methods in applied social research. We seek to address the complexity of questions and critical concerns through a form of social inquiry that stresses the importance of understanding the complexity of the social world and addresses the issues identified by Unger when he noted that: … a practice of social and historical explanation, sensitive to structure but aware of contingency is not yet at hand. We must build it as we go along by reconstructing the available tools of social science and social theory. Its absence denies us a credible account of how transformation happens (Roberto Unger Democracy Realized London Verso 1998 24).

Conference Theme

To center mixed methods research approaches as one of the key ways in which we can, in Unger’s words, ‘reconstruct the available tools of social science’ and the focus on social transformation putting social science back where it should be – front and centre in relation to public debate, engagement and the driving of social change.

We envision the field of MMR as empirical, dynamic, dialectical and transformative. Mixed methods dialogue across methodological, disciplinary, and theoretical divides holds the potential to give rise to a range of mixed methods research that builds on our similar and different strengths. We hope to produce knowledge that addresses and centers on a range of social problems and crises faced by peoples across the globe.

Mixed methods research is a vibrant and vital field that is growing within and across mixed methods international and interdisciplinary communities of inquiry. It is in our reaching out across disciplinary divides that provides a way forward for a plurality of methodological approaches, philosophical perspectives, and a wide range of research methods.

Abstracts

The deadline for submitting Abstracts is 28th February 2016. When you are submitting your abstract please suggest which strand it is for, although allocation will be done by the organizers. See thematic strands here. We are also open to submissions for thematic sessions, normally with three presenters in each. Submissions for thematic sessions must include the titles of presentations and the names of the presenters in the sessions.

Mixed Methods Workshops

There will also be post-conference workshops on August 5th (1-4pm) and August 6th, that cover a variety of MMR topics ranging from introductory mixed methods design to more advanced topics such as constructing complex designs, MM sampling, writing grants, etc. Titles of the workshops and booking details can be found on the conference Registration page.