How to Use Mixed Methods Research in Health Science Articles
You can use mixed methods research in health science articles when you form research questions, plan, collect/analyze data, and then integrate data into a written report.
Mixed methods research combine qualitative and quantitative methods in one study to collect, analyze, and interpret a certain health science topic. The research methods allows authors gather and assess objective and subjective information to understand convoluted health science issues.
In this guide, we will get to see how authors can conduct mixed methods research in health science articles. The study also provides details about how to use these methods while considering essential points and potential challenges.
Steps to Conduct Mixed Methods Research in Health Science
1. Form research question(s)
You need to start by writing your research question(s) and objective(s). Also, you need to determine if a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods is what your article needs.
Consider the following while writing questions or objectives for a mixed methods health science research:
- Specific context of the research,
- Likely benefits from integrating quantitative and qualitative research methods, and
- Nature of the subject under investigation
2. Engage design and planning stage
Next, you need to design a thorough research plan that articulates all objectives and procedure to collect data for your study. After that, you need to assess the timing of collection, integration procedure, and all ethical considerations. Also, endeavor to secure necessary approvals for your study (funding, journal assent, etc.) during the design and planning phase.
3. Collect data
Collecting data for your mixed methods research should make up the next phase of your steps to conduct such health science studies. You need to collect quantitative and qualitative data for your research at this stage. See some common tools you can adopt to collect data for your mixed methods research:
- Qualitative data: observations, focus groups, interviews
- Quantitative data: questionnaires, measurements, and surveys
You need to ensure your chosen data collection tools are reliable, appropriate for the selected research question(s), and valid.
4. Analyze data
Next, you need to analyze quantitative and qualitative data separately according to their established methods. See some common analysis tools to assess data for both elements of mixed methods research below:
- Quantitative data: hypothesis testing, inferential statistics, descriptive statistics
- Qualitative data: pattern identification, categorizing, coding
5. Integrate and interpret data
You have to integrate both methods to develop a comprehensive, coherent understanding of your stated research questions. Assess and identify where these data types converge, diverge, or complement each other. Next, interpret results based on your research question and connect both qualitative and quantitative results in your health science study.
6. Write the report
Finally, you need to report findings from your mixed methods research in clear and transparent format in your health science article. Present findings from both methods, highlighting limitations and strengths of combining two approaches in one research.
Challenges and Considerations in Mixed Methods Research
Integration challenges
It could be very difficult to integrate qualitative and quantitative data in one study. Researchers need to:
- Consider how the data types will combine in the study, and
- Ensure methods used to integrate both types of data are appropriate and relate to the context of such a research
Failing to integrate data properly could cause several issues in a mixed methods research.
Resource and time constraints
It could take twice the time required to complete a mixed methods research. Single-method research usually involve fewer considerations and are easier to complete. Researchers have to plan and distribute resources correctly to make sure the research incorporates both methods to produce valid results.
Skillset and expertise
Researchers may need to engage collaborators across disciplines to complete a mixed methods research. Collaboration helps eliminate the need for a sole researcher to possess assessment skills required to analyze information using qualitative and quantitative methods.
Validity and reliability
Mixed methods research need complete assessment of bias while maintaining rigor to improve reliability and validity. Researchers need to look at strategies that improve the combination of both methods in a health science article.
FAQs
How can I ensure the validity and reliability of my mixed methods research?
Researchers can ensure the reliability and validity of research by using proven methods, ensuring data credibility, reporting transparency, and arresting potential biases. Collaboration during and after research can help researchers improve the validity of mixed methods, health science studies.
Are there any challenges in conducting mixed methods research?
Challenges are involved while conducting mixed methods research and they include integration of data, resource/time allocation, skillset and expertise acquisition, and addressing reliability and validity issues. Researchers must plan to engage and address these issues to guarantee the success of mixed methods studies.
Are there any ethical considerations specific to mixed methods research?
Mixed methods research share the same ethical considerations with qualitative or quantitative techniques. Researchers also need to secure informed consent, privacy, respect, confidentiality, and welfare of all participants.
Can mixed methods research be used in any health science discipline?
Mixed methods research can apply to different disciplines in the health sciences. Some common areas where mixed methods research can work efficiently include public health, social sciences, medicine, nursing science, and many more. Mixed methods can help researchers simplify convoluted health science subjects that need multi-layer analysis for better understanding.
Are there any resources or guidelines available for conducting mixed methods research in health science?
Several resources and guidelines are available to help researchers conduct health science studies with mixed methods. Some research organizations like the National Institute of Health (NIH) provide details to conduct mixed methods research through available resources.
Final Word
Engaging mixed methods research is an excellent way to improve the clarity and coherence of data collection, analysis, and other aspects of health science articles. Authors can engage mixed methods research to improve the significance of their study findings and add valuable scientific knowledge to existing information.
You can take advantage of all the information in this guide to use mixed methods research effectively while conducting health science studies.