Pragmatism as a Compatible Theoretical Lens for Mixed Methods Research in Prehospital Care

Abstract

This study extends on work investigating the increased application of mixed methods research in prehospital care. The complexity and diversity of the prehospital environment warrants flexibility and applicability to guide the research process, yet little attention has focused on the theoretical lens used in prehospital research when using mixed methods research. Pragmatism’s characteristics of human inquiry, problem solving, and action align with a clinical reasoning approach, supporting the prehospital researchers epistemological understanding of the world. Through further exploration of this alignment, this article proposes pragmatism as a compatible theoretical lens for mixed methods in prehospital research.