Doing Mixed Methods in Context: Fieldwork Frictions, Reflexivity and an Ethnography-Inspired Approach in Heat Stress Studies in Ghana

Alhassan, J

Doing Mixed Methods in Context: Fieldwork Frictions, Reflexivity and an Ethnography-Inspired Approach in Heat Stress Studies in Ghana

Alhassan, J

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Publisher:: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUALITATIVE METHODS, 2026, 25
Issue Date:: 2026

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Alhassan, J https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6833-5139
dc.date.accessioned	2026-10-16T22:07:34Z
dc.date.available	2026-10-16T22:07:34Z
dc.date.issued	2026
dc.identifier.citation	INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUALITATIVE METHODS, 2026, 25
dc.identifier.issn	1609-4069
dc.identifier.issn	1609-4069
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/197229
dc.description.abstract	Mixed methods research is often portrayed as a straightforward, step-by-step procedure, yet this portrayal overlooks the real-world challenges of fieldwork and the ethical and responsive approaches needed to address them. This can leave novice researchers ill-prepared to navigate the realities of fieldwork. Drawing on fieldwork with smallholder farmers experiencing heat stress in Northern Ghana, this paper introduces “fieldwork frictions” to describe disruptions arising from farm activities, positionality and local uncertainties. Rather than treating these frictions as methodological failures, it argues that they are integral to the research process — actively shaping how knowledge is produced and challenging the assumed linearity of an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. An ethnography-inspired approach demonstrates how engaging with these frictions can enhance the contextualisation of quantitative findings and deepen qualitative inquiry, better capturing field realities. Recognising these frictions also sheds light on power dynamics inherent in research with vulnerable smallholder farmers. The paper offers three practical methodological lessons for novice researchers: treat fieldwork frictions as opportunities for insight rather than obstacles; remain reflexive and flexible, adapting ethically as needed rather than adhering rigidly to the original blueprint; and, where possible, incorporate ethnography-inspired insights to enhance contextual sensitivity and integration across mixed methods. This approach enhances the rigour of mixed methods research by producing insights firmly grounded in a specific field context.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
dc.relation.ispartof	INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUALITATIVE METHODS
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1177/16094069261490334
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1110 Nursing, 1607 Social Work
dc.title	Doing Mixed Methods in Context: Fieldwork Frictions, Reflexivity and an Ethnography-Inspired Approach in Heat Stress Studies in Ghana
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	25
utslib.for	1110 Nursing
utslib.for	1607 Social Work
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences/School of Communication
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design and Society
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design and Society/School of Communication and Social Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design and Society/Design and Society Related HDR students
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-10-16T22:07:30Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	25

Abstract:

Mixed methods research is often portrayed as a straightforward, step-by-step procedure, yet this portrayal overlooks the real-world challenges of fieldwork and the ethical and responsive approaches needed to address them. This can leave novice researchers ill-prepared to navigate the realities of fieldwork. Drawing on fieldwork with smallholder farmers experiencing heat stress in Northern Ghana, this paper introduces “fieldwork frictions” to describe disruptions arising from farm activities, positionality and local uncertainties. Rather than treating these frictions as methodological failures, it argues that they are integral to the research process — actively shaping how knowledge is produced and challenging the assumed linearity of an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. An ethnography-inspired approach demonstrates how engaging with these frictions can enhance the contextualisation of quantitative findings and deepen qualitative inquiry, better capturing field realities. Recognising these frictions also sheds light on power dynamics inherent in research with vulnerable smallholder farmers. The paper offers three practical methodological lessons for novice researchers: treat fieldwork frictions as opportunities for insight rather than obstacles; remain reflexive and flexible, adapting ethically as needed rather than adhering rigidly to the original blueprint; and, where possible, incorporate ethnography-inspired insights to enhance contextual sensitivity and integration across mixed methods. This approach enhances the rigour of mixed methods research by producing insights firmly grounded in a specific field context.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/197229