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Use of mixed methods designs in substance research: a methodological necessity in Nigeria

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Abstract

The utility of mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) is becoming increasingly accepted in health sciences, but substance studies are yet to substantially benefit from such utilities. While there is a growing number of mixed methods alcohol articles concerning developed countries, developing nations are yet to embrace this method. In the Nigerian context, the importance of mixed methods research is yet to be acknowledged. This article therefore, draws on alcohol studies to argue that mixed methods designs will better equip scholars to understand, explore, describe and explain why alcohol consumption and its related problems are increasing in Nigeria. It argues that as motives for consuming alcohol in contemporary Nigeria are multiple, complex and evolving, mixed method approaches that provide multiple pathways for proffering solutions to problems should be embraced.

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Acknowledgments

I am eternally thankful to John Gardner, my colleague who read the earlier drafts of this paper and offered helpful corrections and suggestions. His impeccable suggestions were timely and helpful and I will remain grateful to him. I am also grateful to Dr Lesley Henderson and Prof Clare Williams who are supervising my doctoral research for their tireless effort in providing me with adequate guidance in the course of this research. Finally, I wish to thank the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for funding my PhD research.

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  1. Department of Sociology and Communications, School of Social Sciences, Brunel University, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, Middlesex, London , UB8 3PH, UK

    Emeka W. Dumbili

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Dumbili, E.W. Use of mixed methods designs in substance research: a methodological necessity in Nigeria. Qual Quant 48, 2841–2857 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-013-9928-z

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