Week 10

Question 1

Why do you think that some researches might be reluctant to adopt a mixed methods approach to their studies?

Answer 1

• Professional/methodological protectionism
• Traditional schooling, experience or expertise in just one or a few research approaches/methods
• The need to become conversant with wider range of research theories and approaches
• Reluctance to move away from the security of the major opinion or current trend in research methodology
• Increased complexity that accompanies MM research
• More limited chance of securing large-scale funding

Question 2

What is Mixed Methods Research?

Answer 2

Research in which the investigator collects and analyses data, integrates the findings and draws inferences using both qualitative and quantitative approaches or methods in a single study.

Question 3

Why conduct mixed methods research?

Answer 3

Seeking convergence and corroboration of results from different methods that are studying same phenomena

Question 4

what is Methodological Triangulation and what is it used for?

Answer 4

• Different methods of data collection used in same study
• Triangulation : usually applied to qualitative research
• Reduces error/increases rigor

Question 5

What is the Value of Mixed Methods?

Answer 5

• Potential for more complete & comprehensive research opportunity
• Can give additional perspectives & insights beyond scope of single design
• Weaknesses of one method may be counter-balanced by strengths of another

Question 6

What are the Limitations of using Mixed Methods research?

Answer 6

• Complex
• Time consuming
• Involved
• Resource-intensive
• Knowledge required of researchers- both qualitative & quantitative knowledge
• Understanding & acceptance by research community needed

Question 7

What is the Delphi Technique?

Answer 7

• Uses expert opinion on a clinical practice problem
• Non-empirical approach (ie no data collection)
• Useful when experimental approach not feasible
• Limitation: only represents opinion

Question 8

What is a systematic review?

Answer 8

A summary of the research literature that is focused on a single question.

Question 9

List some the characteristics of systematic review.

Answer 9

• clearly articulated objectives and questions
• detailed inclusion and exclusion
• a comprehensive search
• critical appraisal of the quality of included studies
• data analysis (meta-analysis)
• presentation and synthesis of the findings extracted
• transparent reported methodology

Question 10

Why do we use systematic reviews within the nursing practice?

Answer 10

• make healthcare decisions
• easy to replicate
• widely used by professional and non professional groups
• support clinical practice
• save time
• easy to access reliable information and short cuts in the EBP process

Question 11

List the types of systematic reviews

Answer 11

• qualitative
• quantitative
• mixed methods

Question 12

What is the role of systematic reviews in EBN practice?

Answer 12

A process that nurses use to make clinical decisions and answer clinical questions based on the best available research evidence, their clinical expertise and patient preferences in the context of existing resources.

Question 13

List some commonly used data-extraction tools.

Answer 13

• paper and pencil
• spreadsheets
• web-based forms
• electronic web-based database
• local rational database

Question 14

What are some limitations of systematic reviews?

Answer 14

• badly conducted systematic reviews
• bias on paper selection
• influenced by researchers search skills
• result might not be combined and presented properly
• language limits