This book shows researchers in education, psychology, health, and other social sciences how to mix qualitative and quantitative research methods together with confidence. How can researchers sequence and incorporate data in ways that are meaningful, without simply combining data and hoping it makes sense? This book walks readers through the essential steps to avoid some common mistakes and to clarify confusing parts of common method designs. It offers a series of "how-to" steps, situated within the core mixed methods designs. Students and researchers will learn the 10 essential design elements of all mixed methods research, how to clearly distinguish between the different core mixed methods designs, how to figure out which design works best for their research, and more.