def parse_stats(stats):
    """
    Convert stats from a mixed string or dictionary representation
    to only dictionaries.
    """
    is_one = False
    if not isinstance(stats, list):
        is_one = True
        stats = [stats]
    else:
        stats = stats.copy()
    for i in range(len(stats)):
        if isinstance(stats[i], str):
            stats[i] = {'tag': stats[i], 'settings': {}}
    return stats[0] if is_one else stats
