Welcome

Numbers and stories, studied together.

The Mixed Methods Research Institute (MMRI) supports researchers who integrate qualitative and quantitative approaches, so that evidence about health, care and communities is more complete and more useful in Newfoundland and Labrador, across Canada and around the world.

MMRI builds on the established mixed methods expertise of Memorial’s Faculty of Nursing, where every graduate program emphasizes mixed methods, and on scholarly connections across Canada and internationally. Its reach extends well beyond nursing, to medicine, social work, pharmacy, education, the social sciences and other fields.

About the Institute

Strengthening mixed methods research, from Memorial to the world

Five commitments

1. Build a strong foundation: terms of reference, a five-year strategic plan, an Institute Director and a Board of Advisors, and pursue affiliation with the Mixed Methods International Research Association as a Canadian chapter.
2. Strengthen research capacity and funding success: at least two training activities a year in mixed methods design, data integration and analysis, and an online resource library.
3. Grow collaboration, locally to globally: networking events, workshops and conferences, and a proposed online community (working title: The Rock Research Network).
4. Sustain the Institute: intensive institutes for graduate students and faculty, an international conference in St. John’s and collaborative grant applications.
5. Advance equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenization: intersectional research that addresses inequities, co-designed with marginalized and underserved communities and including Indigenous perspectives.

What is mixed methods research?

The “what” and the “why” in one study

Mixed methods research integrates quantitative data, such as surveys and health records, with qualitative data, such as interviews and observation. Bringing the two together produces insights, called metainferences, that neither offers on its own.

• ConvergentQUAN+QUAL→Merge and compare
• Explanatory sequentialQUAN→QUAL→Explain findings
• Exploratory sequentialQUAL→Develop→QUAN→Merge

Research and publications

Mixed methods at the Faculty of Nursing

• Framework for types of metainferences in mixed methods research
  Younas, Fàbregues, Munce and Creswell · BMC Medical Research Methodology, 2025
• Mixed methods studies using secondary analysis in nursing and midwifery: A methodological review
  Fàbregues, Younas, Inayat, Escalante-Barrios and Durante · Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2025
• The pathway building technique in implementation research using mixed methods design
  Younas, Porr, Maddigan, Moore, Navarro and Whitehead · Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 2024
• Particularity, Engagement, Actionable Inferences, Reflexivity, and Legitimation tool for rigor in mixed methods implementation research
  Younas and Fàbregues · Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2024
• Implementation strategies to promote compassionate nursing care of complex patients
  Younas, Porr, Maddigan and colleagues · Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2023
• Review of mixed-methods research in nursing
  Younas, Pedersen and Tayaben · Nursing Research, 2019

See also the Faculty’s funded research projects and PhD projects, including several mixed methods studies.

Leadership

The people behind the Institute

AY

Key scholarly leader

Dr. Ahtisham Younas

Assistant Professor · Faculty of Nursing

Dr. Ahtisham Younas is an assistant professor in Memorial University’s Faculty of Nursing and a key scholarly leader in developing the university’s new Mixed Methods Research Institute. An internationally engaged researcher and methodologist, his work advances mixed methods research, health equity and compassionate, person-centred care, particularly for marginalized and underserved populations. He also holds visiting professorships in Finland and Türkiye.

A Memorial graduate (PhD, 2022), he co-wrote a 2025 framework for types of metainferences with Dr. Sergi Fàbregues, Dr. Sarah Munce and Dr. John W. Creswell.

Research focus

Mixed methods researchHealth equityCompassionate, person-centred careUnderserved populations

Email: ay6133@mun.ca

AP

Dr. April Pike

Dean

Faculty of Nursing

 

Dr. April Pike is dean of Memorial University’s Faculty of Nursing. An award-winning educator, researcher and community leader, she has been a faculty member since 2005. Her research focuses on cardiovascular health, genetics and health risk, particularly women’s heart health. She is a passionate advocate for nursing education, research and community engagement.

Research focus

Cardiovascular healthGenetics and health riskWomen’s heart health

JL

Dr. Julia Lukewich

Associate Dean (Research)

Faculty of Nursing

 

Dr. Julia Lukewich is associate dean (research) in Memorial University’s Faculty of Nursing. A nationally recognized researcher in primary health care, her work focuses on strengthening team-based care and optimizing the role of registered nurses in family practice. She has led national research collaborations and helped develop Canadian competencies for primary care nursing.

Research focus

Primary health careTeam-based careNurses in family practice

DB

Dr. Daisy Baldwin

Assistant Professor

Faculty of Nursing

 

Dr. Daisy Baldwin is an assistant professor in Memorial University’s Faculty of Nursing. Her research explores women’s cardiovascular health, particularly the long-term risks associated with gestational diabetes. She also studies culturally responsive nursing education, with a focus on preparing future nurses to provide inclusive, equitable care.

Research focus

Women’s cardiovascular healthGestational diabetesCulturally responsive education

AH

Dr. Abubaker Hamed

Assistant Professor

Faculty of Nursing

 

Dr. Abubaker Hamed is an assistant professor in Memorial University’s Faculty of Nursing. His research focuses on renal care, chronic disease, psychological well-being and infection prevention. His recent work explores anxiety and depression among patients beginning hemodialysis, with an emphasis on improving patient care and health outcomes.

Research focus

Renal careChronic diseasePsychological well-beingInfection prevention

Training and events

Learn with us

Mixed methods talks in the Faculty of Nursing Academic Series. Free, at noon Newfoundland time; registration required.

• Nov. 20, 2026 · Workplace Integration of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Internationally Educated Nurses in Newfoundland and Labrador
  Dr. Esther Monari and Dr. Ahtisham Younas · HSC Room 2956 or online
• Jan. 22, 2027 · Whose Voice Counts? Power Dynamics Across Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Research
  Dr. Daisy Baldwin and Dr. Ahtisham Younas · Online
• Feb. 19, 2027 · Nursing Students’ Experiences and Preparedness in Caring for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations: A Mixed-Methods Study
  Dr. Chantille Isler and Dr. Daisy Baldwin · Online
• Nov. 23–27, 2026 · Memorial Research Week, including the Faculty of Nursing’s event on Nov. 24

Contact

Bring us your question

Email the Institute