LEC 8 Flashcards
Quantitative
designs are often used to: test theory, examine status of variables, investigate differences among groups, explore relationships among variables
Quantitative
designs are often used to: gain in-depth understanding of complex phenomena, meanings of experiences
Mixed Methods
research combines quantitative and qualitative forms of research
WHEN SHOULD RESEARCHERS DO A MIXED METHODS STUDY?
-becoming increasingly common within kinesiology
-can be used to answer a range of research questions
example areas:
evaluation of exercise programs
measurement of physical activity
development of sport programs
informing physical education strategies
researchers’ characteristics also play a role in determining research design
Philosophical worldview
Education
Training
Skills
Past research experience
researchers can come together to form research teams for diverse research designs
PLANNING MIXED METHODS RESEARCH
-mixed methods research requires a lot of planning
-there are many decisions to make, including:
—Implementation sequence
—Priority
—Integration
Implementation Sequence
Timing of the quantitative and qualitative components within mixed methods research
Concurrently or sequentially
____ methods research design
Quantitative and qualitative data collected at essentially the same time
____ methods research design
Involves two distinct phases
Priority
-Refers to the weight or emphasis assigned to quantitative and qualitative components
-Whether one of the research components will have priority over the other
E.g., prioritize qualitative component and give less attention to quantitative component
Integration
-Mixing the quantitative and qualitative components
-Can occur at various stages, including data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, knowledge translation
-Deciding when and how to integrate
-Driven by research question and initial research planning
-Often includes merging or converging data during analysis
Options include:
1. Side by side comparison
2. Independent analysis
3. Data transformation
- Side-by-side comparison
Quantitative and qualitative data analysed separately
One set of findings presented followed by the other
- Independent analysis
Quantitative and qualitative data analysed independently
Results from first phase inform development of next research phase
Researchers may need findings from one phase to plan next phase
- Data Transformation
-Converting one form of data into the other form of data
-Qualitize numerical data
E.g., use numerical data to provide description of sample
-Quantize qualitative data
E.g., count codes or themes
Canadian Paramedic Health & Wellness Project
Purpose was to:
-Develop a workplace profile
-Sociodemographic data and characteristics
-Internal workforce trends
-Identify health and wellness indicators
-Data for the above were collected through:
-Pan-Canadian survey developed specifically for this study
-Physical fitness appraisals
-Focus group and personal interviews
Data Collection–Phase 1: Survey
Concurrent nested design
Open-ended and closed ended questions
Online (UW Survey Centre) and hard-copy
n = 38,000
Data Collection–Phase 2 In Person
Exploratory sequential mixed methods design
a) focus group discussion and personal interviews
b) physical fitness measurements
Six sites
Nova Scotia
Newfoundland
Ontario (x2)
Alberta
British Columbia
What did we Find?
Survey results:
2,557 completed surveys were returned (2,488 web and 69 paper)
Nearly 4 in 5 paramedics work 12-hour shifts
3 in 5 paramedics work rotating between day, night and evening shifts
Nearly 4 in 5 also work required overtime
Survey and focus groups findings identify indications of decline mental wellbeing, where Operational Factors; Organizational Climate Factors; and, Barriers to Good Mental Health were identified as pressing challenges
Survey and physical fitness appraisal results identify indications of injury, fatigue and burnout, but suggest that musculoskeletal health and fitness are in-line with normative data
What were we able to Conclude?
-Regardless of the geographical location of the paramedics, results reveal that paramedic’s work situations are similar and that their overall health and wellness are not ideal.
-Moving forward, it is important that effective pan-Canadian strategies are initiated to improve the health of paramedics, strengthening the ability of paramedic services to maintain an effective, capable workforce to continue supporting public safety in Canada through the provision of timely and effective pre-hospital emergency care.
Benefits of Mixed Methods Research:
Neutralising weakness and maximising strengths of quantitative and qualitative designs
Triangulation
Comprehensiveness
Instrument development and testing
Assisting sampling
Enhancing generalisation
Limitations of Mixed Methods Research:
Blending philosophical worldviews
Bringing together diverse researchers
Sampling and analysis decisions
Sampling and analysis decisions
Publication and evaluation
