Using mixed methods in health services research: A review of the literature and case study

2020 ◽  
pp. 135581962095522
Author(s):  
Maarten de Haan ◽  
Yvonne van Eijk-Hustings ◽  
Hubertus JM Vrijhoef
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Services Research ◽  
Health Services ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Task Shifting ◽  
Services Research ◽  
Narrative Literature Review

Objective To provide an overview of the challenges of conducting mixed methods research (MMR) in the context of health services research (HSR) and to discuss a case study example of the triangulation procedures used in a MMR study on task-shifting in the Netherlands. Method A narrative literature review of publications between January 2000 and February 2020 on the use of mixed methods in the context of HSR and a description of the triangulation procedures in an HSR study with a MMR design on task shifting in the Netherlands. Results The narrative review identified eight challenges. Those related to publishing and appraisal of MMR within HSR were most frequently reported (e.g. ‘lack of MMR examples’, ‘lack of recognition’ and ‘triangulation issues’). Also, practical problems for conducting MMR within HSR were identified (e.g. ‘lack or resources’, ‘teamwork’ and ‘lack of quality criteria’). Methodological challenges (e.g. ‘sampling’ and ‘paradigm wars’) were less frequently reported as a challenge. Conclusion While increasing in popularity, there remain a range of challenges for the design, conduct and reporting of MMR designs in HSR. Using a triangulation protocol can potentially help address some of these challenges.

Analysis of Novel Care Management Programs in Primary Care: An Example of Mixed Methods in Health Services Research

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jodi Summers Holtrop ◽  
Georges Potworowski ◽  
Lee A. Green ◽  
Michael Fetters
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Services Research ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Care Management ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Data Transformation ◽  
Services Research

While health services researchers are using mixed methods research in large-scale studies with “big data” and incorporating data transformation for merging qualitative and quantitative data sets, these developments are not widely known to the broader mixed methods research community. Our purpose in this article is to introduce health services research to the broader mixed methods audience, to examine the potential for novel innovations in mixed methods research procedures, and to illustrate these points through a project on care management that used a convergent mixed methods design. In addition to traditional analytical procedures, we illustrate two qualitative to quantitative data transformation procedures, one using normalization process theory and a second, fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis.

scholarly journals Advancing discussion of ethics in mixed methods health services research

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole A. Stadnick ◽  
Cheryl N. Poth ◽  
Timothy C. Guetterman ◽  
Joseph J. Gallo
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Services Research ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Research Ethics ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Services Research ◽  
Research Issues

Abstract Background To describe the ethical issues and experiences of scientists conducting mixed methods health services research and to advance empirical and conceptual discussion on ethical integrity in mixed methods health research. Methods The study was conducted with 64 scholars, faculty and consultants from the NIH-funded Mixed Methods Research Training Program (MMRTP) for the Health Sciences. This was a cross-sectional study. Survey results were analyzed using descriptive statistics to characterize responses and open coding to summarize strategies about eight ethical mixed methods research issues. Respondents completed an online survey to elicit experiences related to eight ethical issues (informed consent, confidentiality, data management, burden, safety, equitable recruitment, communication, and dissemination) and strategies for addressing them. Results Only about one-third of respondents thought their research ethics training helped them plan, conduct, or report mixed methods research. The most frequently occurring ethical issues were participant burden, dissemination and equitable recruitment (> 70% endorsement). Despite occurring frequently, < 50% of respondents rated each ethical issue as challenging. The most challenging ethical issues were related to managing participant burden, communication, and dissemination. Strategies reported to address ethical issues were largely not specific or unique to mixed methods with the exception of strategies to mitigate participant burden and, to a lesser degree, to facilitate equitable recruitment and promote dissemination of project results. Conclusions Mixed methods health researchers reported encountering ethical issues often yet varying levels of difficulty and effectiveness in the strategies used to mitigate ethical issues. This study highlights some of the unique challenges faced by mixed methods researchers to plan for and appropriately respond to arising ethical issues such as managing participant burden and confidentiality across data sources and utilizing effective communication and dissemination strategies particularly when working with a multidisciplinary research team. As one of the first empirical studies to examine mixed methods research ethics, our findings highlight the need for greater attention to ethics in health services mixed methods research and training.

scholarly journals Methodological Reporting in Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Health Services Research Articles

2011 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 721-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer P. Wisdom ◽  
Mary A. Cavaleri ◽  
Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie ◽  
Carla A. Green
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Services Research ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Research Articles ◽  
Services Research

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities of US and Arab Collaborations in Health Services Research: A Case Study from Qatar

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya M. Hammoud ◽  
Maha Elnashar ◽  
Huda Abdelrahim ◽  
Amal Khidir ◽  
Heather A.K. Elliott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services Research ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Services Research ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Operationalizing and Conceptualizing Quality in Mixed Methods Research: A Multiple Case Study of the Disciplines of Education, Nursing, Psychology, and Sociology

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergi Fàbregues ◽  
Marie-Hélène Paré ◽  
Julio Meneses
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
The Other ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Qualitative Multiple Case Study ◽  
Education Nursing

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study is to describe and compare how researchers in the education, nursing, psychology, and sociology disciplines operationalize and conceptualize the quality of mixed methods research (MMR). An international sample of 44 MMR researchers representing these four disciplines were interviewed. The study findings point to (a) two perspectives from which the quality of MMR is understood, one contingent and flexible and the other universal and fixed; (b) a relationship between these two perspectives and the participants’ discipline; and (c) a similar occurrence, both in terms of nature and frequency, of the MMR quality criteria most mentioned by the participants across disciplines. Implications of the findings for the field of MMR are discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document