The article provides a brief overview of the context that has led to the emergence of mixed methods research and examines current definitions for this research approach. It examines the philosophical framework for conducting mixed methods research and compares this with those for conducting quantitative and qualitative research. Finally, it presents different mixed methods design possibilities, and discusses some of the methodological implications of these designs, drawing on some of the research being conducted in the School of Education, University of the West Indies, Mona.