Learning from the field: reflections on the use of theory, mixed methods and case study design to explore implementation and experience in mental health crisis services for children and young people

Hannigan, Ben ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2512-6721, Bennett, Clare ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5144-3894, Sawle, Leanne ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8478-8816, Fraser, Claire, Williams, Jessy, Jones, Aled, Pryjmachuk, Steven, Elliott, Mair B., Elliott, Martin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8062-6913, Bennett, Nicola ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5154-0478, Hails, Euan, McMillan, Iain and Vaughan, Rachael 2026. Learning from the field: reflections on the use of theory, mixed methods and case study design to explore implementation and experience in mental health crisis services for children and young people. Journal of Mixed Methods Research 10.1177/15586898261494286

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB)

Abstract

This article arises from a theory-informed, sequential, mixed methods project which combined a survey and multiple nested case studies to examine implementation and experience in the context of mental health crisis services for children and young people in England and Wales. Its primary contribution to mixed methods research is to show how theory, mixed methods and case studies can be practicably brought together to improve understanding of complex interventions introduced into complex systems. It makes a further contribution through a reflective exploration of the implementation of mixed methods research in sensitive fields involving vulnerable groups, by specifically exploring: participation and engagement; and fieldwork flexibility, power and control.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education) Schools > Healthcare Sciences Schools > School of Social and Spatial Sciences
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
ISSN:	1558-6898
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	21 October 2026
Last Modified:	21 Oct 2026 11:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/190351

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item