* Abbreviations such as QUAN and QUAL indicate that either a quantitative or a qualitative method is dominant and prioritized in that mixed method research. If these two approaches are evenly employed within a mixed method research, then both of the upper-case initials are included.

* Lower case initials such as Quan and Qual represent the less dominant or recessive approach. 

* Plus (+) points out the integration of collected data, and it is also used to mark quantitative and qualitative data sets are collected simultaneously.

* Arrow “›” shows that data is collected consecutively. When this symbol is used, the researcher bases the approach (e.g. qualitative) s/he will utilize in the second stage onto the one in the first stage (e.g. quantitative).

*  Parentheses “( )” mean that there will be an addition to some parts of the research, and square brackets “[ ]” symbolize that another independent study has been embedded into the current research.