The Journal of Mixed Methods Research Starts a New Decade: Perspectives of Past Editors on the Current State of the Field and Future Directions

Abstract

In this last editorial of 2017, and in celebration of the first decade of mixed methods research scholarship in the Journal of Mixed Methods Research (JMMR), we provide special commentary from the former editors. In the January issue, we examined language of the field and principles for adding new language and divesting of old language as the mixed methods research field develops (Fetters & Molina-Azorin, 2017a). In the April issue, we described the main features of editorials and manuscripts published in the first 10 years of JMMR (2007-2016), the multidisciplinary and international characteristics of JMMR, and JMMR’s most cited and most-read articles (Molina-Azorin & Fetters, 2017). In the July issue, we introduced the integration trilogy and the need to consider integration systematically through all dimensions of philosophy, methodology, and methods (Fetters & Molina-Azorin, 2017b). For a substantive contribution to the field of mixed methods research, we are pleased to bring in this October issue the perspectives of the former editors of JMMR relative to developments in the field, current challenges, recommendations for learning mixed methods research, future directions, and the role of JMMR moving forward. As per our commitment in the first editorial, we begin this editorial by discussing key features of the articles appearing in this issue.