Mixed Methods and Pragmatism for Research on Occupation

Abstract

A transactional perspective of occupation means appreciating it as a relationship of person and situation, characterized by complexity, creativity, and habit. A transactional perspective may necessitate multiple methodological approaches and multiple sources of information. The complexities of occupation deserve a diversity of tools, but using mixed methods to answer questions about occupation is not common. Adopting the perspective of the pragmatists suggests that research should be focused on a problematic situation, and should employ the methods most likely to increase understanding of that situation. In this chapter I take a broad look at how pragmatism has been used as a justification for mixed methods research, then extend the justification and suggest how integrating a pragmatic approach with plural methods is particularly useful for studying occupation. I use concepts from John Dewey’s writings to show the synergy of pragmatism and mixed methods, including holism, provisionality of knowledge, the situatedness of inquiry, and the value-laden nature of research. The chapter concludes with a practical examination of how to use a mixed methods approach to effectively answer questions about occupation, and I argue that utilizing mixed methods and pragmatism can move occupational science forward.