RESEARCH PAPERS

Mixed Methods Research and Its Application in Library Science: Taking Articles of Four Library Science Journals as Examples

  • Li Zhenyan ,
  • Wei Zhipeng ,
  • Yuan Qinjian
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  • 1 School of Information Management, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023;
    2 Cross-Innovation Laboratory of Evidence-Based Social Science of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000
Li Zhenyan,doctoral candidate;Wei Zhipeng,professor,PhD;Yuan Qinjian,professor,PhD,doctoral supervisor,corresponding author,E-mail:yuanqj@nju.edu.cn.

Received date: 2024-02-28

  Revised date: 2024-05-31

  Online published: 2025-03-24

Supported by

This work is supported by the project of National Social Science Fund of China “The revolution of research methods of Library Science under Evidence-based Social Sciences” (Grant No. 21BTQ039).

Abstract

[Purpose/Significance] Currently, the application and study of mixed methods research are still in the developmental stages. During the critical period of renaming the first-level subject, exploring the application of mixed methods research in library science could offer new opportunities for the future development of the field. [Method/Process] This paper introduced mixed methods research and elucidated its role in improving library science research. Taking two international journals and two domestic journals in library science as examples, this paper analyzed the situation of the application of mixed methods research in library science. [Result/Conclusion] The findings reveal a generally upward trend in the application of mixed methods research within library science, though there is still room for further improvement. Among the examples, researchers employ convergent parallel design, explanatory sequential design, exploratory sequential design, embedded design, and multiphase design to conduct their studies. Furthermore, this paper discusses the results, which provides enlightenment for future studies.

Cite this article

Li Zhenyan , Wei Zhipeng , Yuan Qinjian . Mixed Methods Research and Its Application in Library Science: Taking Articles of Four Library Science Journals as Examples[J]. Library and Information Service, 2025 , 69(7) : 80 -89 . DOI: 10.13266/j.issn.0252-3116.2025.07.007

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