Table 3.

Most common mixed methods-based research philosophies: assumptions and stances and the likelihood of embracing the quantitizing process.

Research philosophy	Ontology	Epistemology	Axiology	Methodology	Likelihood of quantitizing	Rationale
Pragmatism-of-the-middle (Johnson and Onwuegbuzie, 2004; Johnson et al., 2007)	Realist and context-sensitive.	Knowledge is gained through actions, experiences, and outcomes.	Values outcomes that are practical and applicable.	Flexible, integrates qualitative and quantitative methods.	Likely embraced	It allows for practical application and enhanced understanding.
Pragmatism-of-the-right (Putnam, 2002; Rescher, 2000)	Moderately realist, recognizing an objective reality with subjective perceptions.	Knowledge is constructed with an understanding of multiple truths.	Values objective and informed research.	Combines qualitative and quantitative to enhance understanding.	Moderately embraced	It aligns with a balanced view of reality.
Pragmatism-of-the-left (Maxcy, 2003; Rorty, 1991)	Strongly anti-realist, emphasizing multiple constructed realities.	Knowledge is socially constructed.	Values diversity and multiple viewpoints.	Prioritizes qualitative methods but is open to integrating quantitative data.	Less embraced	Focus is on depth and complexity of qualitative analysis.
Anti-conflationist (Bryman, 1992; Hammersley, 1992; Layder, 1993; Roberts, 2002)	Clear separation between objective and subjective realities.	Emphasizes distinct knowledge domains.	Values methodological clarity and purity.	Opposes mixing methods that blur epistemological boundaries.	Rarely embraced	Emphasis on maintaining clear methodological boundaries.
Critical realist (Houston, 2001; Maxwell, 2004; Maxwell and Mittapalli, 2010; McEvoy and Richards, 2003, 2006)	Acknowledges a real world that influences, but is distinct from, our knowledge of it.	Knowledge seeks to uncover real underlying structures.	Values deep understanding of social structures.	Uses methods that reveal underlying mechanisms, may mix methods.	Highly embraced	Supports the uncovering of underlying mechanisms.
Dialectical stance (Greene, 2007, 2008; Greene and Caracelli, 1997; Greene and Hall, 2010; Maxwell and Loomis, 2003; Teddlie and Johnson, 2009)	Reality is shaped by dialectical processes.	Knowledge arises from the synthesis of opposing viewpoints.	Values the integration of opposing methods and ideas.	Integrates different methodologies to synthesize new insights.	Highly embraced	Enhances the synthesis of diverse insights.
Complementary strengths (Brewer and Hunter, 1989; Morse, 2003)	Recognizes the specific strengths of qualitative and quantitative realities.	Each method provides unique and valid insights.	Values the integrity of each methodological approach.	Maintains separation of methods to preserve unique contributions.	Less embraced	Focus on preserving the unique contributions of each method.
Transformative-emancipatory (Mertens, 2003, 2007, 2010; Mertens et al., 2010)	Reality is seen through the lens of power dynamics and inequality.	Knowledge is a tool for empowerment and change.	Values research that supports social justice.	Chooses methods that support social change.	Highly embraced	If it aids in promoting social justice and transformation.
A-paradigmatic (Patton, 2002; Reichardt and Cook, 1979)	Does not adhere to any specific reality constructs.	Practical knowledge shapes method choice.	Values pragmatism and utility in outcomes.	Flexible, driven by research questions.	Highly embraced	Supports pragmatic and practical research outcomes.
Substantive theory (Chen, 2006)	Reality interwoven with theoretical frameworks.	Knowledge is deeply contextual and theoretical.	Values theoretical coherence and depth.	Theory-driven, may integrate methods based on theory needs.	Highly embraced	If it enhances theoretical understanding.
Communities of practice (Denscombe, 2008)	Socially constructed realities within professional communities.	Knowledge evolves from communal practices.	Values the practices and traditions of communities.	Adapts methods to fit community practices.	Moderately embraced	Helps in understanding and generalizing community-specific insights.
Phenomenography (Feldon and Tofel-Grehl, 2022)	Focuses on the range of possible experiences.	Knowledge is the variation in perceptions of phenomena.	Values the depth of individual perceptions.	Qualitative, focuses on describing experiences.	Rarely embraced	Emphasis on capturing the richness of individual experiences.
Dialectical pluralism (Johnson, 2012, 2017; Johnson et al., 2014; Tucker et al., 2020)	Multiple kinds of reality acknowledged.	Integrates multiple epistemological perspectives.	Values the diversity of perspectives and methods.	Promotes dialogue among different methods.	Highly embraced	Enhances integration and synthesis of diverse perspectives.
Critical dialectical pluralism (Onwuegbuzie and Frels, 2013; Onwuegbuzie et al., 2024)	Focuses on dynamic social realities influenced by power and inequality.	Knowledge as an instrument for critiquing power structures both within the research study and the population at large.	Values social transformation and empowerment.	Aims to promote social justice through participants assuming the role of participant-researchers and researchers assuming the role of research-facilitators.	Highly embraced	If it serves social justice goals.

Adapted from “Philosophical assumptions and stances of the most common mixed methods research-based research philosophies,” by Onwuegbuzie, 2024. Dialectical Publishing, p. 14. Copyright 2024 by Dialectical Publishing.