Integration of qualitative and quantitative methods is the key feature of mixed methods research that distinguishes it from other approaches. However, integration remains vague, elusive and a challenge for researchers.

Joint displays are a way to visually integrate qualitative and quantitative results, and to represent integration in proposals, manuscripts and dissertations. Joint displays have emerged as a state-of-the art procedure in mixed methods research.

Part 2 will focus on selecting an appropriate joint display and constructing a joint display.