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AimsTo identify the characteristics of joint displays illustrating the data integration in mixed‐methods nursing studies and to make recommendations for effective use of joint displays for the integration of qualitative and quantitative data in mixed‐methods studies.DesignDiscussion Paper.Data SourcesWe have completed this paper as a part of a mixed‐methods prevalence review of 190 studies published in nursing journals. We searched 10 nursing journals and three databases from January 2014–April 2018, additional journal search was performed from May–September 2018. We reviewed 17 studies that used joint displays as the method of data integration. Using a joint display typology, checklists, summary tables, and personal experiences of using joint displays, we evaluated the quality of displays.Implications for NursingNurse researchers should use advanced data integration approaches to increase the rigour of the mixed‐methods studies. Joint displays can enable nurse researchers to efficiently integrate and synthesize the qualitative and quantitative data in mixed‐methods studies. However, nurse researchers should clearly label the type and title of the display, include both qualitative and quantitative data and interpretations, and highlight the mixed‐methods interpretations as confirmed, divergent, or expanded in the displays.ConclusionJoint displays are adopted for data integration in nursing mixed‐methods studies. Improvements are required concerning data presentation in the displays. Researchers should provide clear titles and supporting data and inferences and identify the meta‐inferences by assessing the fit between quantitative and qualitative data.ImpactDespite the importance of integration in mixed methods, reviews indicated a consistent lack of integration in nursing research. Joint displays are structured frameworks used for the integration and synthesis of the qualitative and quantitative data at the analysis and interpretation levels. The discussed typology and characteristics of displays can enable nurse researchers to enhance the quality and presentation of integrated results in mixed‐methods studies.

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Background Inadequate justification for using mixed-methods and inadequate data integration compromises the rigor of mixed-methods studies, and data integration remains a challenge for nurse researchers. Objectives The aim of the study was to determine the 5-year prevalence of mixed-methods research in nursing journals and to determine the extent of integration of qualitative and quantitative findings. Methods Ten journals were hand-searched, and additional search was conducted within three databases. Prevalence was calculated by counting the number of published mixed-methods studies divided by the number of published studies over 5 years. Three reviewers independently performed methodological assessment using a checklist based on guidelines by expert methodologists. Results Prevalence of mixed-methods studies was 1.89%. Concerning methodological assessment, of 175 studies, 29% did not provide an explicit label of the study design and four studies incorrectly labeled the design. In total, 31% of the studies did not justify using mixed methods, 95% did not identify the research paradigm, and 78% did not state the weight given to individual phases. The extent of data integration was 73%, but 83% of studies integrated data using narrative summaries with integration occurring at the interpretation (69.8%). Few studies used joint displays (10.9%), transformation (3.1%), and triangulation (1.6%) for data integration. Discussion Mixed-methods research is still in its infancy in nursing, and researchers encounter challenges during its conduct, analysis, and reporting. There is a need to determine researchers’ attitudes and challenges toward using mixed methods and educate them about advanced mixed methods. Emphasis should be placed on use of advanced data integration methods so that the rigor and quality of mixed research can be enhanced in nursing research.