@inbook{6fc39b1a3b124e8bb64b9af52d1f81b9,
title = "The many roles of pragmatism in mixed methods research",
abstract = "Pragmatism has been presented as the most popular and perhaps most suitable philosophical system for mixed methods research. However, philosophy can play many different roles for social science research and there are many different forms of pragmatism. This chapter maps the roles that pragmatism might play, from pragmatism as a philosophical foundation which guides and informs research decisions; through pragmatism as a guide to select a philosophical foundation; to pragmatism as a rejection of the idea that philosophical foundations actually do guide most research decisions. Example studies are provided to illustrate each interpretation of pragmatism. Ultimately, the chapter suggests caution for educational researchers who wish to use pragmatism with mixed methods research. The chapter concludes by identifying a recent effort to produce complete guidance for social science research based on a pragmatist foundation and considers the future of pragmatism for mixed methods research. ",
keywords = "Education, Mixed methods research, Philosophy, Pragmatism",
author = "Adam Coates",
year = "2026",
month = feb,
day = "17",
doi = "10.4337/9781035326785.00011",
language = "English",
isbn = "9781035326778",
series = "Elgar Handbooks in Education",
publisher = "Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd",
pages = "24--38",
editor = "Keith Morrison and \{Huat See \}, Beng",
booktitle = "Handbook of Mixed Methods Research in Education",
address = "UK United Kingdom",
}