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Methods Research (methods + research)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Medical Sciences44%

Kinds of Methods Research

  • mixed methods research
    		•

    Selected Abstracts

    The Audit Commission review of diabetes services in England and Wales, 1998,2001

    DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 2002
    B. Fitzsimons
    Abstract Aims of the Audit Commission The Audit Commission has a statutory duty to promote the best use of public money. It does this through value for money studies, such as that reported in Testing Times[1]. This work has been followed with a review of innovative practice in commissioning. These initiatives aim to support the implementation of the diabetes national service framework. The Audit Commission also appoints external auditors to NHS organizations who assess probity and value for money in the NHS; the latter by applying national studies locally and by carrying out local studies. Methods Research for Testing Times consisted of structured visits to nine acute trusts, a telephone survey of 26 health authorities and a postal survey of 1400 people with diabetes and 250 general practitioners. Local audits used a subset of the original research tools. Case studies were identified through a cascade approach to contacts established during Testing Times and through self-nomination. Results Rising numbers of people with diabetes are placing increasing pressure on hospital services. Some health authorities and primary care organizations have reviewed patterns of service provision in the light of the increasing demands. These reviews show wide variations in patterns of routine care. In addition, there is a widespread lack of data on the delivery of structured care to people with diabetes. People with diabetes report delays in gaining access to services, and insufficient time with staff. There are insufficient arrangements in place for providing information and learning opportunities to support self-management. Conclusion As the number of people with diabetes continues to rise, the potential for providing more care in a primary care setting needs to be explored. This will enable specialist services to focus more effectively on those with the most complex needs. [source]

    Advances in Mixed Methods Research: Theories and Applications

    DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 5 2009
    Barbara Hunter
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]

    Exploratory study in tourism: designing an initial, qualitative phase of sequenced, mixed methods research

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM RESEARCH, Issue 5 2010
    Peter Mason
    Abstract Exploratory studies in the social sciences are being increasingly advocated, particularly in relation to new research themes or when addressing an existing issue from a new perspective. Although exploration is usually the starting point, it is frequently part of a sequence of research stages. However, until recently the actual process of conducting such exploratory research within the leisure and tourism field has received little attention. This is due not just to perceptions that exploration is merely the initial step in a longer research process, but significantly, because there is a lack of guidance on how to conduct such research. This paper argues that when the overall tourism research study involves the use of mixed methods, an initial exploratory stage conducted as part of a sequential research process, requires a systematic approach to achieve a reliable platform for further investigation. The paper shows how and why a systematic research design process in the exploratory stage can enhance the value of studies, when the initial qualitative stage is to be followed by a quantitative phase. Three phases of an exploratory qualitative research design process are identified: preparation, development and refinement. Criteria for assessing the suitability of qualitative data collection techniques are proposed. It is argued that careful attention to the process of designing the initial exploratory qualitative stage constitutes the necessary condition for achieving results that will form a sound basis for the next quantitative sequence of research. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

    How you count counts: the importance of methods research in applied ecology

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
    Chris S. Elphick
    Summary 1Methods papers play a crucial role in advancing applied ecology. Counting organisms, in particular, has a rich history of methods development with many key advances both in field sampling and the treatment of resulting data. 2Most counts, however, have associated errors due to portions of the population of interest being unavailable for detection (e.g. target population not fully sampled; individuals present but not detectable), detection mistakes (e.g. detectable individuals missed; non-existent individuals recorded), or erroneous counts (e.g. large groups miscounted; individuals misidentified). 3Developments in field methods focus on reducing biases in the actual counts. Simultaneously, statisticians have developed many methods for improving inference by quantifying and correcting for biases retrospectively. Prominent examples of methods used to account for detection errors include distance sampling and multiple-observer methods. 4Simulations, in which population characteristics are set by the investigator, provide an efficient means of testing methods. With good estimates of sampling biases, computer simulations can be used to evaluate how much a given counting problem affects estimates of parameters such as population size and decline, thereby allowing applied ecologists to test the efficacy of sampling designs. Combined with cost estimates for each field method, such models would allow the cost-effectiveness of alternative protocols to be assessed. 5Synthesis and applications. Major advances are likely to come from research that looks for systematic patterns, across studies, in the effects of different types of bias and assumption violation on the ecological conclusions drawn. Specifically, determining how often, and under what circumstances, errors contribute to poor management and policy would greatly enhance future application of ecological knowledge. [source]

    Using mixed methods research in medical education: basic guidelines for researchers

    MEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 7 2009
    Karen E Schifferdecker
    Context, Mixed methods research involves the collection, analysis and integration of both qualitative and quantitative data in a single study. The benefits of a mixed methods approach are particularly evident when studying new questions or complex initiatives and interactions, which is often the case in medical education research. Basic guidelines for when to use mixed methods research and how to design a mixed methods study in medical education research are not readily available. Methods, The purpose of this paper is to remedy that situation by providing an overview of mixed methods research, research design models relevant for medical education research, examples of each research design model in medical education research, and basic guidelines for medical education researchers interested in mixed methods research. Conclusions, Mixed methods may prove superior in increasing the integrity and applicability of findings when studying new or complex initiatives and interactions in medical education research. They deserve an increased presence and recognition in medical education research. [source]

    Mixed methods research in school psychology: A mixed methods investigation of trends in the literature

    PSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS, Issue 4 2008
    Heather Powell
    This article illustrates the utility of mixed methods research (i.e., combining quantitative and qualitative techniques) to the field of school psychology. First, the use of mixed methods approaches in school psychology practice is discussed. Second, the mixed methods research process is described in terms of school psychology research. Third, the current state of affairs with respect to mixed methods designs in school psychology research is illustrated through a mixed methods analysis of the types of empirical studies published in the four leading school psychology journals between 2001 and 2005. Only 13.7% of these studies were classified as representing mixed methods research. We conclude that this relatively small proportion likely reflects the fact that only 3.5% of graduate-level school psychology programs appear to require that students enroll in one or more qualitative and/or mixed methods research courses, and only 19.3% appear to offer one or more qualitative courses as an elective. Finally, the utility of mixed methods research is illustrated by critiquing select monomethod (i.e., qualitative or quantitative) and mixed methods studies conducted on the increasingly important topic of bullying. We demonstrate how using mixed methods techniques results in richer data being collected, leading to a greater understanding of underlying phenomena. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]

    A computational study on the characteristics of airflow in bilateral abductor vocal fold immobility,

    THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 9 2010
    M. Kür, at Gökcan MD
    Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: To evaluate airway sufficiency and airflow dynamics in a group of patients who underwent a posterior transverse laser cordotomy (PTLC) procedure. Study Design: Mixed methods research, university hospital setting. Methods: Sixteen patients who underwent a PTLC procedure volunteered to be involved in this study. Dyspnea levels, voice, and glottic opening in indirect laryngoscopy were evaluated subjectively. The airway was evaluated objectively by pulmonary function tests, and glottic areas were measured from axial computed tomography (CT) images. The control group consisted of 63 subjects from the tomography archive. For computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses, two subjects from the study group were chosen on the basis of obstruction level, and a normal female subject was selected from the control group. Cartesian coordinates for airway boundaries were determined from axial CT images, and a three-dimensional computational model of the larynx was constructed. Flow simulations were performed with two different flow conditions during inspiration. Comparison of velocity, static pressure, turbulence intensity, and wall shear stress distribution values were made between selected cases and control. Results: Pulmonary data varied widely and did not correlate with the size of the glottic area or dyspnea level. CFD analyses revealed that in addition to obstruction at the glottic level, aerodynamic properties of the larynx are altered due to loss in muscular tonus. Also, the contour of the glottic opening was found to be very important in determining the character of airflow as laminar or turbulent. Conclusions: Patients have considerable differences in their flow patterns and force distributions during respiration. Patient-specific models may help in evaluation and treatment planning. Laryngoscope, 2010 [source]