The opportunities for mixed methods research in behavioural accounting research

This paper provides an introduction for behavioural accounting researchers to the mixed methods research literature. Mixed methods research proposes the use of both quantitative and qualitative (or field study) research methods in a single study. This involves integrating the results of quantitative and qualitative methods at some point in the research. The aim of the integration is to provide a better understanding of the research topic to give fuller answers to research questions, develop research questions and identify areas for amending the design of future research. The paper introduces behavioural accounting researchers to mixed methods research by defining what is meant by mixed methods research and examining the ways of designing mixed methods research, with illustrations of mixed methods research in non-accounting research and showing how it could be applied in behavioural accounting research.