Mixed Methods Research SLP

Mixed Methods Convergent Design

The mixed methods research is used in investigating critical systems and processes in health and health care, as it uses powerful research tools. The method integrates three preliminary designs of mixed methods: convergent, explanatory sequential, and exploratory sequential. Evaluators often use contemporary design in comparing findings from quantitative and qualitative sources of data. The technique involves collecting qualitative and quantitative data, conducting a separate analysis of each type, and comparing results. The results werecompared using procedures such as a joint display of both data types, changing qualitative data to quantitative scores, or side-by-side comparison. For example, a researcher can collect qualitative data for assessing patients’ personal experiences while collecting data from survey instruments about quality of care. Ultimately, the two data types can validate each other and develop a solid foundation towards making conclusions on the intervention.

Carmack (2014) uses mixed methods by qualitatively exploringhow communication makes personalities focus their well-being in emotional, mental, physical, and comprehensive domains. Besides, the study investigates qualitatively, impacts of social support and communication competence on well-being (Carmack, 2014). Moreover, it explores ways through which well-being affects social support and communication competence. Carmack (2014), therefore, effectively uses the mixed method, as it engages both quantitative and qualitative analyses.

Horevitz (2013) aims to establish how the IBH model may reduce mental health disparities. Therefore, this study, being a complex health issue, requires a mixed method of research. However, the review uses sequential mixed methods to investigate Latino mental health initiation rates in the IBH setting. In terms of quantitative data, the study extracts data from Latino patients’ medical records under depression and sought medical care in the IBH clinic. Moreover, the study obtains qualitative data through the use of semi-structured interviews, using the depressed Latino patients as a sub-sample (Horevitz, 2013). By engaging a sequential, two-phase mixed method, the study facilitates a nuanced understanding of utilization pathways on the Latino patients’ use of behavioral health services in an IBH setting (Horevitz, 2013).

Furthermore, by using semi-structured interviews, the study deeply explores results drawn from the previous quantitative predictor analysis. The study follows the mixed methods research’s best practices. For instance, it further explores the first phase’s information in the second qualitative phase. Therefore, the study appropriately applies the mixed methods research method in its methodology section.

Mercier (2016) focuses on investigating challenges of medication adherence among adults with HIV. The study uses mixed-methods research, precisely the mixed methods convergent design, as a health or health care issue. The reason for using this design is to acquire the same topic’s varying but complementary data, aimed at best establishing a breakthrough of the research question. The study analyses both quantitative and qualitative data at the same research phase (Mercier, 2016). According to this design, the analysis mentioned above is a critical step in the secondary analysis because of the previously collected data. Moreover, parallel data collection was to be combined and interpreted in the data analysis phase. The study merges two sets of results, creating an overall interpretation of the data sets.

Mixed Methods Case Study Design

Case studies often collect multiple data forms, including qualitative and quantitative data forms, to better understand the topic. Therefore, case studies perfectly integrate mixed research methods that combine quantitative and qualitative research. Most studies seek to capture and provide insight into the critical problems of health, economic, and social dimensions. Therefore, the mixed methods and case studies’ unique methodological features help address the complexity of such issues or research problems.

Deupree (2011) focuses his two-phase study on exploring how 70-74 years adults dwelling in the community self-manage daily prescription medications. The topic is a healthcare complex issue, therefore becomes appropriate by using the mixed study methods. The study divides into two phases: phase 1 and phase two. In phase 1, the quantitative phase collectedthe information required to select individuals forthe study’s second phase (Deupree, 2011). In phase II, three different cases in the qualitative research were created and assessed.

Prengaman (2016) publishes an article on organizational and individual perspectives on political context that affect access to health care services in Idaho’s rural setting. As a case study, it employed thematic and narrative analyses in identifying political context and state-level factors that affect Idaho’s access to health care services (Prengaman, 2016). Therefore, it affirms that case studies strive to provide insights and capture critical social, political, and economic factors. Similarly, Pujeh-Fiakpo (2018) provides an in-depth on the concept of immigration, focusing on mental health views, cultural dynamics, and the idea of acculturation. Therefore, the case study seeks to explore critical problems in society.

Studying “The Impact of Covid-19 on HR practices and future workforce in the hospital” should use the mixed methods divergent design. Covid-19 is a critical health issue in society today, thus fitting to mixed methods research. Besides, there is a need for a parallel qualitative and quantitative collection of data and final analysis and comparison, as proposed by the research design.

 

References

Carmack, S. (2014). Making Sense of Well-being: A Mixed-methods study applying sensemaking theory to explore the role of communication competence and social support in physical, emotional, mental, and comprehensive well-being (Doctoral dissertation, George Mason University).

Deupree, J. P. (2011). Health literacy: A community-based mixed methods study of prescription medication self-management among community-dwelling older adults. The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Horevitz, E. O. (2013). Uptake of Depression Treatment among Latinos in Integrated Primary Care: A mixed-methods analysis (Doctoral dissertation, UC Berkeley).

Mercier, D. A. (2016). A mixed-methods study of perceived social support based on the medical outcomes study social support survey in adults with repeated challenges with HIV medication adherence (Doctoral dissertation, University of Missouri–Columbia).

Prengaman, M. V. (2016). A case study of individual and organizational stakeholder perspectives on state factors impacting access to rural health care services in Idaho.

Pujeh-Fiakpo, S. (2018). A Mixed Methods Examination of Attitude and Acculturation Factors Influencing Mental Health Service Receipt among African Immigrants in the Washington Metropolitan Region (Doctoral dissertation, Morgan State University).