The US' National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released recommendations or best practices for scientists conducting mixed methods health research that seeks to combine the strengths of quantitative and qualitative research.
There has been increased interest in mixed methods research in health fields and at NIH. However, prior to this report, there was reportedly limited guidance to help scientists developing applications for NIH funding that featured mixed methods designs, nor was there guidance for the reviewers at NIH who assess the quality of these applications.
The recommendations were created by John W. Creswell and Vicki L. Plano Clark of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Ann Carroll Klassen, Drexel University, Philadelphia; and Katherine Clegg Smith, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. Additional input for the recommendations came from a diverse working group of scientists with expertise in research methodology from diverse fields such as public health, nursing and medicine. The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), part of NIH, identified the need for this guidance and commissioned the report.
The authors of the report note that mixed methods lends itself to research problems in which a singular approach would not allow the scientist to develop multiple perspectives and a complete understanding of the problem or research question. The report also provides suggestions on how to design a mixed methods study. It outlines the challenges in mixed methods investigations and addresses how to form, lead and train a mixed methods research team.
To access our daily STM news feed through your iPhone, iPad, or other smartphones, please visit www.myscoope.com for a mobile friendly reading experience.
