Mariano Dos Santos from the Instituto Católico para Formação de Professores (ICFP) Baucau, Timor-Leste, has mapped the growing use of mixed research methods in inclusive education studies worldwide. His study, published in 2026 in the International Journal of Integrated Science and Technology (IJIST), analyzed 40 peer-reviewed articles indexed in Scopus between 2020 and 2024 to understand how researchers combine quantitative and qualitative approaches to study inclusive education.
The findings matter as inclusive education continues to gain global attention, ensuring equal learning opportunities for all students, including those with special educational needs. High-quality research is essential to support policies and classroom practices that promote inclusive learning environments.
Background
In recent years, educational research has increasingly adopted mixed methods, an approach that combines quantitative data (such as surveys and statistics) with qualitative insights (such as interviews and observations). This approach allows researchers to examine educational issues from multiple perspectives and provide deeper explanations of complex social and educational phenomena.
However, many studies still struggle to integrate these two forms of data effectively. Without proper integration, research findings may fail to capture the full complexity of inclusive education practices.
Research Method
Dos Santos conducted a systematic literature review using the internationally recognized PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The study involved:
- Searching for English-language articles indexed in Scopus
- Selecting publications from 2020 to 2024
- Screening and filtering studies to obtain 40 relevant articles
- Examining four key aspects:
- mixed-methods research design
- data integration strategies
- participant involvement
- major themes in inclusive education research
This approach allowed the researcher to identify global trends while also highlighting methodological gaps in current research.
Key Findings
The review revealed several important patterns in inclusive education research using mixed methods:
1. Convergent design is the most common approach
Many studies collect quantitative and qualitative data at the same time and compare the findings during analysis.
2. Research focuses on three main themes
- teachers’ attitudes toward inclusive education
- students’ learning experiences
- professional collaboration within schools
3. Weak integration of data remains common
Several studies present quantitative and qualitative results separately without fully combining them in the analysis.
4. Limited student participation
Most studies involve teachers and school staff as participants, while students—especially those with special educational needs—are less frequently included.
5. Research is dominated by developed countries
Many studies originate from developed nations, suggesting the need for more research from developing countries.
Implications
The study highlights several directions for future research in inclusive education.
First, researchers need to explain more clearly how quantitative and qualitative data are integrated to strengthen the credibility of their findings.
Second, research designs should become more participatory by including students directly in the research process.
Third, inclusive education studies should increasingly incorporate educational technology as part of solutions for accessible and adaptive learning environments.
According to Dos Santos from ICFP Timor-Leste, stronger integration of research methods can significantly improve the quality of evidence used to develop inclusive education policies and practices worldwide.
Author Profile
Mariano Dos Santos - Instituto Católico para Formação de Professores (ICFP) Baucau, Timor-Leste
Research Source
Dos Santos, Mariano. 2026. “Exploring the Integration of Mixed Methods in Inclusive Education Research: A Systematic Literature Review.” International Journal of Integrated Science and Technology (IJIST), Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 170–187.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijist.v4i3.307
URL: https://ntlmultitechpublisher.my.id/index.php/ijist
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