Ch 13 Flashcards
Mixed-methods research is
the combination of quantitative and qualitative study elements in a single published research study
3 reasons to use mixed-methods research
1- Complementarity: each approach complements each other and using both types of research mitigates the limitations from a single study type
2- Practicality: for complex issues it is practical to use multiple tools to best address the phenomena of interest
3- Enhanced validity: more data sources that support a hypothesis make the hypothesis stronger.
Concurrent designs…
have both the quantitative and qualitative studies occur at the same time
Sequential designs…
clearly have one study type finish before the second happens, or they occur in phases.
mixed-methods: Uppercase letters include…
the weight of the study type in the research project. QUAN in capital letters means the quantitative method is significant. If both QUAN and QUAL are capitalized, then both types are of equal weight. Lowercase letters mean it is less significant
mixed-methods designs: To identify sequencing a ____ are used.
To identify sequencing a + or arrow sign are used. The arrow sign indicates one study type occurring in a second phase. For instance, QUAN -> QUAL means the qualitative study occurs in phase 2. If the study types occur concurrently the + sign is used. Note that capitalization is still used to demonstrate the study weight
mixed-methods designs: convergent designs obtain what? Goal?
Convergent designs obtain different complementary data about a phenomenon. The goal is to converge on the truth. Convergent designs are concurrent and have equal weight applied to both types. Using the nomenclature above QUAL + QUAN would show that both study types have equal weight and occur at the same time.
mixed methods: What are explanatory designs?
Explanatory designs are sequential designs where quantitative data is collected first. The qualitative study data is used to explain the results from the quantitative study. QUAN -> qual or quan -> QUAL are examples of this study type.
what are exploratory designs?
Exploratory designs are sequential designs where qualitative data is collected first. The quantitative study is used to explore the results from the qualitative study. QUAL -> quan or qual -> QUAN
mixed methods: sample for quant and qual studies
The sample for a mixed-methods study can begin with a large sample based on the quantitative study. The sample for the qualitative study can be nested, or a small subset from the sample used in the quantitative study.
mixed methods: data collection depends on…
Data collection depends on the study type. For instance, a randomized controlled trial could collect data with biophysiological measures of patients trialing a new medication for a condition. A small sample of the population could undergo semi structured interviews with a phenomenological approach to explore the patient’s lived experiences with the condition.
mixed methods: clinical trials…
Clinical trials test clinical interventions. Clinical trials are commonly used for approving medications for use.
mixed methods: clinical trials, different phases
Phase I: establishes safety, tolerance, and dose with a simple design. Focus is on developing the best treatment.
Phase II: pilot test of treatment effectiveness. Researchers see if the intervention is feasible and acceptable. Designed as a small-scale experiment.
Phase III: Randomized Controlled Trial, when the intervention is tested against usual care to determine if it improves. RCT is the most often discussed version of a clinical trial in research.
Phase IV: studies of the effectiveness in the general population without the control or artificial conditions provided by a RCT
Evaluation research focuses on…
developing useful information about a program or policy
A process analysis seeks to understand…
what is the treatment, how is it different from traditional practices, what are the barriers to implementation, how do staff and patients feel about it, and in general how it functions.
A process analysis uses mostly ___ data.
A process analysis uses mostly qualitative data.
An economic or cost analysis seeks to determine…
if an intervention is financially feasible.
This type of research in general does not seek to increase the body of research knowledge, but rather affirm or approve a potential quality improvement initiative, making it considered non-research-based.
___ research essentially has the same phases as a clinical trial.
Nursing intervention research essentially has the same phases as a clinical trial. It involves the use of complex interventions rather than the single intervention seen in a clinical trial.
An intervention theory is used to…
clearly state what must be done to achieve the desired outcome. It identifies and includes key stakeholders in the study. This type of research is more extensive than a clinical trial and much less present in literature.
Health Services Research examines…
how organizational structures and process, health technologies, social factors, and personal behaviors affect access to health care, the cost and quality of health care, and people’s health and well-being.
Outcomes research focuses on…
examining the effect of healthcare on the outcome of patients.
outcomes research: It can be difficult to identify the quality of nursing care for an individual unit in a hospital versus the rated quality of the hospital as a whole. In order to help with this, _____ are used.
It can be difficult to identify the quality of nursing care for an individual unit in a hospital versus the rated quality of the hospital as a whole. In order to help with this, nursing-sensitive indicators or nursing-quality indicators are used.
Survey Research obtains…
quantitative information about variables in a population, one that is usually from a nonclinical population. Data is generally collected through interviews and questionnaires. The information is generally superficial in nature. Surveys are flexible and offer a broad scope.
QI studies seek to…
improve practices and processes within a specific organization, not to generate knowledge that can be generalized beyond the organization.
QI studies follow the Plan, Do, Study, Act process. ?
Plan: plan a change and develop a test or observation, including a plan for data collection.
Do: Try out the change on a small scale
Study: Review and analyze the data, study the results, and identify what has been learned.
Act: Refine the change and take action based on the lessons learned from the test.
What makes a research study a mixed-methods study?
A) uses both qualitative and quantitative data collection
B) begins with one research design and shifts to one or more designs as the study progresses
C) combines multiple quantitative research designs to answer one research question
D) design focused on measuring multiple research questions with one method
Answer A: uses both qualitative and quantitative data collection
A mixed-methods study uses quantitative and qualitative study methods and data collection. It may be used for one or more research questions. It does not use multiple quantitative methods or continuously evolve designs as the study continues.
Which type of study designation would be seen in a convergent study? A) QUAN -> QUAL B) QUAL -> QUAN C) QUAN + QUAL D) QUAL = QUAN
Answer C, QUAN + QUAL
Convergent designs are mixed-methods study in which the qualitative and quantitative study occur concurrently and with equal weight. The arrow sign is used to indicate sequential studies, and an equal sign is not a designation used.
Which type of study design would occur first in an explanatory design? A) Phenomenological B) Grounded Theory C) Ethnographic D) Quasi-experimental
Answer: D, quasi-experimental
Explanatory designs begin with quantitative study designs followed by qualitative designs. Quasi-experimental is the only quantitative research design listed.
Which phase of a clinical trial focuses on pilot testing? A) Phase I B) Phase II C) Phase III D) Phase IV
Answer: B, phase II
Phase II involves pilot testing of treatment effectiveness.
What type of study design utilizes the plan-do-study-act process? A) Evaluation Research B) Clinical Trials C) Quality Improvement Studies D) Nursing Intervention Research
Answer: C, quality improvement studies
Quality improvement studies commonly use the plan-do-study-act process.
