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Chapter 6: Descriptive research design, mixed methods and meta-analysis & Chapter 7: Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies
Read Chapter 6 & 7
Discussion # 3
June 6, 2020
Based on your course reading assignments (Chapters 6and 7)
as well asyour pending research problem, what type of study do you believe you are conducting,? and please explain why?
post should be no greater than 250 words, the equivalent of of three (3) paragraphs, 4-5 lines each.
Week Five
Moving into Week 5, we are going to look at a little more sophisticated methods as they relate to research.
Descriptive research design, mixed methods, and meta-analysis highlighted in Chapter 6. Also, we will review Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies covered in Chapter 7.
Take a moment to review the listed publications and videos below to help bring clarity and supplement your course readings as you progress through our course.
Descriptive Research
Descriptive research is a study designed to depict the participants in an accurate way. More simply put, descriptive analysis is all about describing people who take part in the survey.
There are three ways a researcher can go about doing a descriptive research project, and they are:
- Observational, defined as a method of viewing and recording the participants
- Case study, defined as an in-depth study of an individual or group of individuals
- Survey, defined as a brief interview or discussion with an individual about a specific topic
Descriptive Blog: The 3 Basic Types of Descriptive Research Methods
Video: Descriptive Research Design
Mixed Methods Research
Mixed methods research (Extracted from the article below) is the use of quantitative and qualitative methods in a single study or series of studies. It is a new methodology that is increasingly used by health researchers, especially within health services research. There is a growing literature on the theory, design, and critical appraisal of mixed methods research. However, few papers summarize this methodological approach for health practitioners who wish to conduct or critically engage with mixed methods studies.
Article: Using Mixed Methods in Health Research
Mixed Methods
Meta-Analysis
Meta–analysis is a statistical technique for combining data from multiple studies on a particular topic. A Meta-analysis is an analytical tool for estimating the mean and variance of underlying population effects from a collection of empirical studies addressing ostensibly the same research question. Meta‐analysis has become an increasingly popular and valuable tool in psychological research, and significant review articles typically employ these methods.
Article: Meta-Analysis in Medical Research
Video Meta-Analysis (An Introduction)
Epidemiology
According to the Centers for Disease Control, Epidemiology is the method used to find the causes of health outcomes and diseases in populations. In epidemiology, the patient is the community and individuals are viewed collectively. By definition, epidemiology is the study (scientific, systematic, and data-driven) of the distribution (frequency, pattern) and determinants (causes, risk factors) of health-related states and events (not just diseases) in specified populations (neighborhood, school, city, state, country, global).
Article: Epidemiology is a Science of High Importance
Video: Epidemiology
Longitudinal Studies
Longitudinal Study, an epidemiologic study that follows a population forward over time, evaluating the effects of one or more variables on a process. If individuals are followed, it is termed a longitudinal cohort study. If classes—e.g., age classes—are studied, it is a longitudinal cross-sectional study. Longitudinal studies are the converse (opposite) of horizontal (parallel) studies.
Article Longitudinal Studies
Video (A Lecture Recording): Longitudinal Studies
This week we will have a discussion question that is due. Remember, your initiation post is due by Wednesday and two follow up responses are due by Saturday night. Please refer to your course syllabus for the grading rubric that is required.
Discussion Question – Week Five
Based on your course reading assignments and your pending research problem, what type of study do you believe you are conducting, and please explain why?
Expert Solution Preview
Based on the course reading assignments in Chapters 6 and 7, and considering my pending research problem, I believe I am conducting a mixed methods study. A mixed methods study involves using both quantitative and qualitative methods in a single study or series of studies. In my research, I plan to collect both numerical data and qualitative data through interviews or observations to gain a comprehensive understanding of the research problem.
By using the mixed methods approach, I can gather numerical data to examine trends and patterns, as well as qualitative data to explore participants’ perspectives and experiences. This combination of methods allows for a more comprehensive analysis of the research problem and provides a deeper insight into the phenomenon under investigation. It also enhances the validity and reliability of the findings as using multiple methods strengthens the overall evidence.
Moreover, mixed methods research is particularly useful in health services research, which is the focus of my study. It enables me to incorporate both objective measurements and subjective perspectives, which are essential in understanding the complexities of healthcare delivery and patient experiences. By integrating quantitative and qualitative data, I can address both the “what” and the “why” questions, gaining a more nuanced understanding of the research problem.
In conclusion, based on the course readings and my research problem, I believe I am conducting a mixed methods study. This approach allows me to integrate quantitative and qualitative data, providing a comprehensive analysis and enhancing the validity of my research findings.
