This paper contrasts mixed methods design with strategic research design. Mixed methods research both advocates for itself as always better than singular research methods, while also seemingly allowing a wide variety of researchers to count their work under the very large umbrella of mixed methods. We argue for strategic research design as a set of principles that can help researchers decide whether to use mixed methods, choose the best methods to mix and the order to mix them in. Drawing on an actual case study of a mixed methods research project, we show the importance of realist epistemology, available resources, and the research situation in guiding the selection and mixing of research methods.