Please use one of the three templates and fill it out. I will include an example that was done for the same topic as mine.
For this assignment, using your research topic, select one of the following (fill in the blanks), to design a mixed methods study AND Provide a good rationale for why you selected the type of study (sequential or concurrent).
- A sequential study with a second quantitative phase building on an initial first qualitative phase:
The intent of this two-phase sequential mixed methods study is to __(Mention content objective of the study). The first phased will be a qualitative exploration of a (central phenomenon) by collecting _______(types of data) from (participants) at _____(research stie). Findings from this qualitative phased will then be used to test _(a theory, research questions, or hypothesis) that _(relate,compare) _(independent variable) with (dependent variable) for ________(sample of population) at (research site). The reason for collecting qualitative data initially is that _________(e.g. instruments are inadequate or not available, variables are not known, there is little guiding theory or few taxonomies). - A sequential study with the qualitative follow-up phase building on and helping to explain the initial quantitative phase:
The intent of this two-phase sequential mixed methods study will be to __(mention content objective of the study). In the first phase, quantitative research questions or hypothesis will address the ______relationship or comparison of _________ (independent) and (dependent) variables with ________(participants) at (the research site). Information from this first phase will be explored further in a second qualitative phase. In the second phase, qualitative interviews or observations will be used to probe significant (quantitative results) by exploring aspects of the _(central phenomenon) with ___( a few participants) at ___(research site). The reason for following up with qualitative research in the second phase is to __(e.g. better understand and explain the quantitative results). - A concurrent study with the intent of gathering both quantitative and qualitative data and merging or integrating them to best understand a research problem:
The intent of this concurrent mixed methods study is to (content objective of the study) . In this study, _(quantitative instruments) will be used to measure the relationship between _ (independent variable) and __(dependent variable). At the same time, the (central phenomenon) will be explored using _ (qualitative interviews or observations) with (participants) at ______(research site).
Student example: This two-phase sequential mixed methods study intends to investigate whether unintended falls in the hospital lead to extended stay for patients and more costs for the practice settings in terms of accountability for the incident. The first phase will be a qualitative exploration of unintentional falls in the care setting and their impact on patient outcomes and practice-related costs by collecting interview descriptions of the research phenomena from five healthcare providers at the hospital. Findings from this qualitative phase will then be used to test the hypothesis that compares unintentional falls with an extended stay in a hospital and additional costs for hospitals in a sample of 300 patients aged 65 years and above admitted to government-funded public hospitals in the United States. The reason for collecting qualitative data initially is that the researcher wants some leverage to respond to new questions and dynamics that may emerge from the qualitative results by including the items in the questionnaire that will be used to collect quantitative data.
The sequential mixed methods research design gives the researcher a framework or a blueprint to collect, analyze, interpret, and report data on the main issues of interest to the study. The issue of unintended falls and patient care and safety outcomes, and hospital-related costs is well documented in the literature (Weil, 2015). However, new information is bound to arise due to changing dynamics in practice settings and the reinforcement of patient-centered care, hence the need to use the two-phase sequential mixed methods design starting with the qualitative phase to provide the researcher with an enabling environment to explore further the new questions and dynamics. This research design also provides a framework to develop effectively and focused data collection instruments (questionnaires) with the capacity to respond to the main issues of interest to the researcher (Creswell & Creswell, 2018). Lastly, the selected design is appropriate for ensuring effective taxonomy development and connecting the data between the qualitative and quantitative phases of the research process.
References
Creswell, J.W., & Creswell, J.D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approach (5th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
Weil, T. (2015). Patient falls in hospitals: An increasing problem. Geriatric Nursing, 36(5), 121-132.
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