Bazeley, P., & Kemp, L. (2012). Mosaics, triangles, and DNA: Metaphors for integrated analysis in mixed methods research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 6(1), 55–72. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689811419514

Metaphors used to describe the process of integration in mixed methods research are analysed to determine the  various ways in which researchers think and write about integration. By examining the metaphors used and through examples of the application of each metaphor, the authors clarify the integrative processes they point to.

Knappertsbusch, F. (2020). “Fractal heristics” for mixed methods research: Applying Abbot’s “fractal distinctions” as a conceptual metaphor for methods integration. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 14(4), 456–472. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689819893573

Knappertsbusch (2020) argues conceptually for a high degree of ‘self-similarity’ in quantitative and qualitative methods and considers the implication of this for an integrative mixed methodology.