Exam prep week 11 (Mixed methods research clinical governance) - wk 12 (Descriptive data analysis and findings) Flashcards
What is mixed methods research?
“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”
(Tashakkori & Creswell 2007:265)
Studies that have used two designs, qualitative and quantitative
Offers a different approach
Not limited to constraints of one or the other
Journal Of Mixed Methods Research
Methodological Triangulation (Pluralism)
Triangulation : usually applied to qualitative research
Reduces error/increases rigor
Different methods of data collection used in same study
For example: interviews + participant observation + documentation + focus groups etc
Now used to denote single study using combination of research designs/paradigms
Triangulation (more commonly used term)= pluralism = Mixed Methods
Becoming much more common/popular especially in nursing research
Not always labelled as such
Terminology/Rationales Associated with Mixed Methods
Triangulation Completeness Off-setting weakness & providing stronger inferences Answering different research questions Wider explanation of findings Broader illustration of data Hypothesis development & testing Instrument development & testing
REMEMBER!!
The appropriate research design is the one that will best answer the research question
Value of Mixed Methods
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
Limitations of Mixed Methods
Complex
Time consuming
Involved
Resource-intensive
Knowledge required of researchers- both qualitative & quantitative knowledge
Understanding & acceptance by research community needed
Action Research
Narrows gap between research and implementation of results
Research in the real world situation
Occurs in a spiral/cycle design
May use any type of research methodology
Emphasis on continual improvement
Limitation: may be weak experimental design
Delphi Technique
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
Clinical Guidelines
Provide recommendations on clinical management
Generate national/international consensus on management principles
Allow for application of Research and EBP relating to a specific area of clinical practice
Are not mandatory
Tools to guide clinical decision making
Tools to guide clinical decision making eg standards, policies, & procedures, algorithms, clinical pathways, clinical guidelines
Assist to make appropriate decisions about patient care to result in best patient outcomes
Historically developed by individual/groups of experts
No process to determine validity/reliability
Evidence based practice has led to clinical guidelines being systematically developed
Based on best available research evidence
Definitions
Algorithms: clinical guidelines on flowchart
Clinical pathways: document essential steps in a clinical process eg COPD pathway
Clinical guidelines: systematically developed statements to assist clinical and patient decisions
Policies: written plans of an organisation’s official position eg Medication Administration Policy
Definitions (cont.)
Procedures: series of formal steps for performing specific tasks
Protocols: rigid, prescribed statements
Standards: accepted discipline-based principles for patient care processes
Policy
“A document that describes the organisation’s purpose or standard for a given customer process or issue, the expected outcome, guiding principles, roles and responsibilities, definition of terms within the document and references. Compliance with policies is mandatory”
(“Definitions of policy related documents within WA Health,” n.d.)
Procedure
A document that generally supports a policy by describing an instruction that clearly prescribes the actions of each step of a process to be taken and by whom.
(“Definitions of policy related documents within WA Health,” n.d.)
Characteristics of Effective Clinical Guidelines
No internationally recognised framework but general world-wide agreement
Key qualities for guidelines to be effective
Should be considered when appraising existing national guidelines before adapting to local situation and when developing new guidelines
