UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The mixed methods approach to research is gaining increased attention in many areas, particularly social sciences and health sciences. Recognizing the need for a greater understanding of this approach, Penn State's College of Nursing invited John W. Creswell, a leading proponent of mixed methods, to present a series of lectures and a full-day workshop in October at the University Park and Hershey campuses.
In collaboration with Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute, the college hosted Creswell for a two-part workshop on “Advances in Mixed Methods” and “Publishing a Mixed Methods Study.” Research faculty and staff from across the University gained insight from his numerous articles and books on the topic, including his most recent, A Concise Introduction to Mixed Methods Research (2014).
The mixed methods movement took root when researchers in different disciplines recognized that quantitative (closed-ended and measurable) data and qualitative (open-ended or observational) data do not have to be considered separately, but could be integrated for additional insights, such as understanding why an intervention trial did or didn’t work.
“The integration of quantitative and qualitative data is the key to understanding mixed methods,” Creswell said. “It is a distinguishing feature of this research approach.”
Janice Penrod, professor of nursing, felt that bringing Creswell to Penn State would address a University-wide need for a comprehensive overview of mixed methods concepts and methodology.
“Mixed methods research merges a qualitative understanding of human perspectives with quantitative approaches to understanding phenomena,” Penrod explained. “For example, we can investigate how varied approaches to advance care planning influences surrogate decision making using established measures of burden or stress. Such measures convert experiences or perceptions into numeric values that are analyzed statistically to determine relationships between varied formats and outcomes.
“On another level, qualitative study of surrogate decision-making processes and perceptions augment our understanding by painting a detailed picture of the experience through the eyes of those who live it,” Penrod continued. “Both forms of understanding inform the science of nursing.”
Donna Fick, Elouise Ross Eberly Professor of Nursing, is one of multiple principle investigators on “READI: Researching Efficient Approaches to Delirium Identification,” a four-year NIH-funded study with Harvard Medical School. READI uses a mixed methods approach to generate the evidence base needed for widespread implementation, Fick said.
“The qualitative data — direct observation and brief open-ended interviews — will be integrated with quantitative data to help us determine the best screening approach,” Fick said. “The ultimate outcome will be a practical, effective and cost-efficient protocol to detect and monitor delirium in high-risk hospitalized older adults.”
Creswell is an adjunct professor of family medicine and co-director of the Michigan Mixed Methods Research and Scholarship Program at the University of Michigan. In addition to publishing 27 books and numerous articles on mixed methods research, qualitative research and research design, he founded the Journal of Mixed Methods Research, published by SAGE Publications.