Drugs don't work in people who don't take them

Question 1

In the context of patient adherence, what research approach is best?

Answer 1

A holistic approach

Quantitative = study how many people adhere to medication or when and how they take it
Qualitative = provide deeper insight into context and experiences of people taking medications

Question 2

What does qualitative research explore?

Answer 2

Nature and quality

It asks who, what, how, why, when

Question 3

What does quantitative research explore?

Answer 3

Magnitude, occurrence, association

It asks how much

Question 4

How can we undertake qualitative research?

Answer 4

Observation
Interviews
Focus groups
Free text data (i.e. surveys)

Question 5

How can we undertake quantitative research?

Answer 5

Observational

• cross sectional
• case cross sectional
• cohort
• ecological

Interventional
- cross sectional

Question 6

What is a key distinction between qualitative and quantitative research?

Answer 6

Qualitative research can be guided by hypotheses or methodological principles, whereas quantitative is always driven by hypotheses, which in turn drives the study design

Question 7

What are the five key steps in qualitative analysis?

Answer 7

1. Familiarisation
2. Focus
3. Code
4. Mapping
5. Interpret and explain

Question 8

What is the BMJ method for assessing qualitative research?

Answer 8

1. Was the sample used in the study appropriate to its research question?
2. Were the data collected appropriately?
3. Were the data analysed appropriately?
4. Can I transfer the results of this study to my own setting?
5. Does the study adequately address potential ethical issues?
6. Overall: is what the researchers did clear?