-Implementation means either that the researchers collect both the quantitative and qualitative data in phases (sequentially) or that they gather it at the same time (concurrently). When the data are collected in phases, either the quantitative or quantitative data can come first.

-A second factor that goes into the choice of a strategy is whether greater priority or weight is given to the quantitative data and analysis. The priority might be equal, or it might be skewed toward either qualitative or quantitative data. A priority for one type of data or the other depends on the interests of the researcher, the audience for the study, and what the investigator seeks to emphasize in the study. In practical terms, priority occurs in a mixed methods study through such strategies as whether quantitative or qualitative information is emphasized first in the study, the extent of treatment of one type of data or the other, and use of a theory as an inductive or deductive framework for the study.

- Integration of the two types of data might occur at several stages in the process of research: the data collection, the data analysis, interpretation, or some combination of places. Integration means that the researcher “mixes” the data.

- A final factor to consider is whether a larger, theoretical perspective guides the entire design. This perspective may be one from the social sciences or from an advocacy/ participatory lens (e.g., gender, race, class). Although all designs have implicit theories, mixed methods researchers can make the theory explicit as a guiding framework for the study. This framework would operate regardless of the implementation, priority, and integrative features of the strategy of inquiry.