In this volume on mixed methods social inquiry, Greene (quantitative and evaluative research methodologies, U. of Illinois, Champaign) stresses the rationales, purposes, and potentialities for mixing methods in social research and evaluation. She focuses on the generative value of mixed methods inquiry for better understanding of complex social phenomena, including addressing difference and diversity and their integration. She provides historical context from the last part of the twentieth century and debates between qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and the challenges of mixing at the levels of philosophy, conceptual theory, and ideology, as well as mixing methods and forms of data. The second half of the text describes guidelines for practicing mixed methods inquiry relating to design, data analysis, criteria for assessing the quality of studies, and writing up and reporting work. Examples are incorporated. The book is for applied social researchers and evaluators, including practitioners, academics, and students. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)