What software is used for mixed methods research?

The most widely used mixed methods research software tools are NVivo, MAXQDA, ATLAS.ti, and Dedoose for qualitative analysis, and SPSS, R, and XLSTAT for quantitative analysis. Lumivero offers NVivo and XLSTAT as a complementary suite—purpose-built qualitative and quantitative tools that work together within the same software ecosystem.

Is NVivo good for mixed methods research?

Yes. NVivo supports mixed methods research by allowing researchers to analyze qualitative data alongside structured quantitative and demographic data within the same project. Researchers can import structured data files, including Excel, CSV, and SPSS files, alongside interviews, documents, surveys, and multimedia sources. NVivo also supports framework matrices, crosstab analysis, code frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, and case classifications to help researchers compare qualitative themes across participant groups, survey responses, and demographic data within a single analysis environment.

Can NVivo and XLSTAT be used together?

Yes. NVivo and XLSTAT are designed to complement each other in a mixed methods workflow. Researchers can organize, code, and analyze qualitative data in NVivo, then export structured outputs and datasets into XLSTAT for deeper statistical analysis and modeling. Together, the tools help researchers connect qualitative insights with quantitative analysis within a single research workflow.

Do I need a separate license for NVivo and XLSTAT?

Yes, NVivo and XLSTAT are separate products with separate licenses. Both are available to purchase individually. For teams or institutions, Lumivero offers volume licensing—contact our sales team for a quote tailored to your organization's needs.

What types of data can NVivo analyze for mixed methods research?

NVivo supports a wide range of qualitative and mixed methods research data, including interview transcripts, focus group discussions, open-ended survey responses, documents, PDFs, images, audio, video, spreadsheets, and structured survey data. Researchers can also import demographic and quantitative data from Excel, CSV, and SPSS files to support mixed methods analysis within the same project.

Which Lumivero product is best for quantitative data analysis?

XLSTAT is Lumivero's dedicated quantitative analysis platform. It runs as an add-in within Microsoft Excel and supports regression, ANOVA, factor analysis, survival analysis, and more. For researchers running a mixed methods study, XLSTAT handles the statistical side while NVivo or ATLAS.ti handles qualitative coding and analysis.

NVivo vs MAXQDA: Compare qualitative research software

NVivo is the most-cited qualitative and mixed methods software used by individual researchers, universities, healthcare organizations and government agencies. Here's why researchers choose NVivo over MAXQDA:

Most-cited QDA and mixed methods software (Scopus 2025) – The trusted choice for research that must withstand peer review, grant reporting, and institutional scrutiny.

Methodological depth built in – Advanced queries, Framework Matrices, and flexible analytical workflows support deeper interpretation and defensible findings.

Researcher-controlled AI - Every AI output stays connected to source material, codes, and memos, supporting transparent, traceable, researcher-led analysis.

Buy now Request demo

Compare NVivo vs MAXQDA

Explore how NVivo and MAXQDA compare across AI-assisted analysis,

collaboration, mixed methods research, and research workflows.

Most Preferred

Best for

Researchers working on rigorous or complex qualitative, mixed-methods, or multi-source projects, from individual studies to institution-wide research programs

Researchers needing qualitative and mixed-methods workspace with built-in options for visualization and statistical analysis

Academic credibility

Widely cited and recognized across the global research community

Strong presence in European universities and research institutions

Depth of analysis

Advanced queries, Framework Matrices, inter-coder reliability testing, visualizations, and flexible analytical workflows

Supports qualitative analysis through visual mapping, document comparison, and coding workflows

AI-assisted analysis

AI Assistant supports document summaries, coded content summaries, Framework Matrix summaries, sentiment analysis, and child code suggestions. Outputs remain connected to source material, codes, and memos, supporting transparent, traceable analysis.

AI Assist supports document and code summaries, AI coding, AI chat, and report generation. Includes a broader set of AI-driven automation capabilities.

Collaboration

Supports real-time collaboration through either Collaboration Cloud or Collaboration Server (on-premise). Flexible deployment options help organizations meet governance, security, and data residency requirements.

TeamCloud supports shared team workflows, with project updates synchronized through the cloud. No on-premise deployment option.

Quantitative and mixed methods

Built-in: descriptive statistics, Crosstab Queries, Matrix Coding Queries, coding frequencies, PCA, box plots, survey analysis. Plus XLSTAT integration via the Lumivero ecosystem for advanced statistics.

Statistical analysis available via separate MAXQDA Analytics Pro add-on

Multimedia and data sources

Text, audio, video, images, PDFs, surveys, social media (NCapture), bibliographic data (Citavi, EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley, RefWorks), SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics

Text, audio, video, images, PDFs, surveys

Free trial

14-day free trial with full features

14-day free trial

Training and certification

Free Learning Hub included with subscription, featuring courses on fundamentals, querying, visualizations, and teamwork. Optional certification programs and a global network of certified trainers support ongoing skill development.

Courses and certification programs available through MAXQDA Academy and purchased separately.

Research ecosystem

Part of the Lumivero research ecosystem, connecting literature review (Citavi), qualitative analysis (NVivo), and advanced statistical analysis (XLSTAT).

Standalone QDA tool

Why research teams choose NVivo over MAXQDA

The trusted standard in qualitative research

Built for research that stands up to scrutiny

NVivo is the most-cited qualitative data analysis software and the most-cited mixed methods software in Scopus-indexed research (2010–2025). Year over year, researchers at universities, healthcare organizations, government agencies, and funding bodies have chosen NVivo when findings need to withstand peer review, publication, grant reporting, and institutional scrutiny.

Most-cited QDA software in Scopus (2010–2025)

Most-cited mixed methods software in Scopus (2010–2025)

Used in published research across disciplines and methodologies

Recognized by universities, healthcare systems, government agencies, and funding bodies worldwide

Methodological depth

Go beyond coding – interrogate your data from every angle

NVivo is built to support deeper qualitative analysis workflows, not just more features. Approach the same dataset from multiple methodological perspectives, compare coders, surface patterns across cases, and maintain a clear audit trail from raw data to final findings.

Advanced queries — text search, word frequency, coding, matrix coding, group, and compound queries

Framework Matrices — synthesize case-by-theme analysis with linked evidence

Coding comparison and intercoder reliability — measure consistency across coders

Matrix coding — surface patterns across cases, attributes, and codes

Full audit trail — defend your methodology in peer review, audits, or grant reporting

Research-controlled AI

AI that accelerates your work without taking over your analysis

Lumivero AI Assistant was intentionally designed to keep researchers close to the analysis process. Every AI output stays connected to source material, codes, and memos—so you can trace findings back to evidence, validate interpretation, and defend your methodology. AI Assistant usage is included with NVivo subscriptions, and institutions can disable AI functionality entirely if governance policies require.

Document summaries, coded-content summaries, and Framework Matrix summaries

Child code suggestions and sentiment analysis

Every output traceable to source material and codes

Institution-level controls for AI governance compliance

Free trial included with NVivo subscription

Collaboration with governance built in

Go beyond coding – interrogate your data from every angle

NVivo gives institutions deployment flexibility that other QDA platforms don't. Choose Collaboration Cloud for distributed teams or Collaboration Server for on-premise deployment when data residency, security, or governance policies require it. Either way, teams get real-time collaboration, role-based permissions, version tracking, and intercoder reliability workflows.

Collaboration Cloud — secure cloud-hosted collaboration for distributed teams

Collaboration Server — on-premise deployment for data residency and governance

Role-based permissions for project owners, coders, and reviewers

Centralized version tracking and project management

Intercoder reliability workflows for multi-coder projects

Trusted by researchers worldwide

NVivo is the most-cited qualitative analysis software in academic research, and a recognized leader across multiple categories.

Most cited QDA software tool in publications worldwide (Scopus Database, 2010-2025)

Stephanie Battista

Founder of Human Innovation Labs

“In our work, we found that NVivo significantly aided in analyzing and interpreting data efficiently, especially with teams spread across different geographies and time zones. It was invaluable in deciphering themes and identifying trends and patterns, which helped us develop actionable insights."

Shiv S

Senior Consultant, The Strategy Unit, hosted by NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit, UK

“NVivo has been a game-changer for my qualitative research work. It provides a seamless way to organize, analyze, and visualize complex data. I especially liked the ability to generate word clouds, perform perceptual mapping, create hierarchy charts, and run cluster analysis, which made my findings more insightful and visually engaging. Overall, it significantly enhanced the depth and clarity of my research outcomes.”

Verified G2 review

Shiv S

Senior Consultant, The Strategy Unit, hosted by NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit, UK

“Tools like NVivo have allowed us to support decision makers in the healthcare systems with the objective evidence of ‘what works’ and ‘what can be made to work.’ We can be confident that it’s through a thorough analysis of all the data that has been collected in a timely and relevant way.”

Verified User in Government Adminstation

“NVivo is straight forward and intuitive. It’s easy to train staff to use, which allows short-term staff (e.g. graduate research assistants) to help with the coding workload.”

Verified G2 review

Ready to try NVivo?

Choose NVivo for AI-assisted analysis, real-time collaboration, and mixed-media research in one platform. Start analyzing interviews, surveys, audio, video, and documents with software built for modern research teams.

Buy now Request demo

Frequently asked questions

Is NVivo better than MAXQDA?

The best qualitative research platform depends on your research workflow, collaboration needs, data sources, and analysis goals. For researchers who need advanced analysis capabilities, NVivo is the stronger choice. NVivo offers more powerful visualization tools, real-time collaboration through NVivo Collaboration Cloud, and AI-assisted coding via the Lumivero AI Assistant—features that give it a clear edge for complex, large-scale, or team-based research projects.

Does NVivo work on Mac?

Yes, NVivo is available for both Windows and Mac, making it accessible to researchers regardless of their operating system.

Which is easier to learn, NVivo or MAXQDA?

MAXQDA generally has lower upfront costs and flexible licensing, making it attractive for individual researchers or tight budgets. NVivo's pricing reflects its broader feature set—including AI-assisted analysis, advanced visualizations, and real-time collaboration—which delivers stronger long-term value for researchers who need a comprehensive QDA solution.

Can NVivo handle mixed methods research?

Yes. NVivo is purpose-built to support mixed methods research, allowing researchers to work with both qualitative and quantitative data in a single platform. You can analyze interviews, surveys, PDFs, multimedia files, and numerical data together—making it easier to synthesize findings across data types without switching tools.

Does NVivo have AI features?

Yes. NVivo includes the Lumivero AI Assistant, which helps researchers summarize content, identify themes, and generate coding suggestions. These AI-powered features are designed to accelerate workflows while keeping the researcher in control of interpretation and critical thinking.

Which is more cited in academic research?

NVivo is the most cited qualitative data analysis software in academic research globally, according to Scopus publication data (2010–2023). That citation record reflects the trust researchers, universities, and institutions have placed in NVivo across disciplines and methodologies for over a decade.