There is a rich tradition of using qualitative methods in mental health services research, most notably represented in the ethnographies of populations with mental health problems (e.g., Estroff, 1981 Hopper, 1988), and the institutions that serve them (e.g., Caudill, 1958 Goffman, 1961 Rhodes, 1991). Rigorously applied qualitative methods offer great potential in contributing to the scientific foundation of mental health services research. Qualitative methods are also used in combination with quantitative methods in mixed method designs for convergence, complementarity, expansion, development, and sampling. Strategies for analysis are usually inductive, based on principles of grounded theory or phenomenology. The most common techniques for data collection are individual semi-structured interviews, focus groups, document reviews, and participant observation. For instance, participants for qualitative studies are usually sampled purposefully rather than at random and the design usually reflects an iterative process alternating between data collection and analysis. Qualitative methods adhere to many of the same principles of scientific rigor as quantitative methods, but often differ with respect to study design, data collection and data analysis strategies. Qualitative methods are used to provide a “thick description” or depth of understanding to complement breadth of understanding afforded by quantitative methods, elicit the perspective of those being studied, explore issues that have not been well studied, develop conceptual theories or test hypotheses, or evaluate the process of a phenomenon or intervention. This paper reviews the rationale and common approaches to using qualitative and mixed methods in mental health services and implementation research based on a review of the papers included in this special series along with representative examples from the literature. However, the standards for their use are not always evident, especially for those not trained in such methods. Qualitative and mixed methods play a prominent role in mental health services research.
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