Research Methodology and Research Methodology and EpidemiologyEpidemiology
Dr. Sean LynchDr. Sean Lynch
Research Methodology, Research Methodology, Epidemiology and Evidence Based Epidemiology and Evidence Based
Psychiatry-4Psychiatry-4
This module will cover the following areas:-This module will cover the following areas:- An introduction to research concepts, audit, research An introduction to research concepts, audit, research
governance, funding and dissemination of researchgovernance, funding and dissemination of research Qualitative and Quantitative methodsQualitative and Quantitative methods Different forms of research study and their interpretationDifferent forms of research study and their interpretation Parametric and non-parametric statisticsParametric and non-parametric statistics Other advanced statistical methodsOther advanced statistical methods Epidemiological concepts in mental health and psychiatric Epidemiological concepts in mental health and psychiatric
research instrumentsresearch instruments Meta-analysis, systematic reviews and evidence based Meta-analysis, systematic reviews and evidence based
practicepractice
Qualitative ResearchQualitative Research
Today we will examine the methodology used in qualitativeToday we will examine the methodology used in qualitative
research. We will look at the limitations and benefits of theresearch. We will look at the limitations and benefits of the
principal methods.principal methods.
The aims of today’s session are:-The aims of today’s session are:-
1. To understand the use of different interview approaches 1. To understand the use of different interview approaches used in qualitative researchused in qualitative research
2. To understand the use of group based methods2. To understand the use of group based methods
3. To understand sources of data loss and bias in 3. To understand sources of data loss and bias in qualitative studiesqualitative studies
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Programme (approximate times)Programme (approximate times)
1030 - 1115 Feedback on problems in last session1030 - 1115 Feedback on problems in last session
Interview designs in qualitative researchInterview designs in qualitative research
1115 - 1130 Break1115 - 1130 Break
1130 - 1215 Group, observational and ethnographic1130 - 1215 Group, observational and ethnographic
methods in qualitative researchmethods in qualitative research
1215 - 1230 Discussion of morning1215 - 1230 Discussion of morning
1230 - 1330 Lunch1230 - 1330 Lunch
1330 - 1530 Small group work on problems1330 - 1530 Small group work on problems
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Main aimsMain aims
1. Exploratory1. Exploratory
2. Explanatory 2. Explanatory
3. Evaluative3. Evaluative
4. Developmental4. Developmental
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Why are qualitative methods being used more?Why are qualitative methods being used more?
Quantitative methods measure summed data e.g. on Quantitative methods measure summed data e.g. on outcomes, differences in groupsoutcomes, differences in groups
They tell us little or nothing about behaviour, They tell us little or nothing about behaviour,
preference, satisfaction or individual experiencepreference, satisfaction or individual experience Increased patient participation in service design,Increased patient participation in service design,
delivery and evaluationdelivery and evaluation
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
AdvantagesAdvantages
1. Naturalistic - “real life”1. Naturalistic - “real life”
2. Subjective experience2. Subjective experience
3. Detailed descriptive data3. Detailed descriptive data
4. Can assess processes4. Can assess processes
5. Greater validity in data5. Greater validity in data
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AdvantagesAdvantages
Can be used in supplementary studies to increaseCan be used in supplementary studies to increase
validity of quantitative design studiesvalidity of quantitative design studies
Can be used in “mixed methods” or “triangulationCan be used in “mixed methods” or “triangulation
model”model”
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
AdvantagesAdvantages
Some qualitative data can be summarised and subjectSome qualitative data can be summarised and subject
to more conventional statistical analysisto more conventional statistical analysis
Methods are being devised for secondary analysisMethods are being devised for secondary analysis
equivalent to systematic review methodology for equivalent to systematic review methodology for
quantitative methodsquantitative methods
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
DisadvantagesDisadvantages
Difficulty in standardising and replicating methodsDifficulty in standardising and replicating methods Sample selectionSample selection Importance of data loss and non-responseImportance of data loss and non-response Subject to bias of researcher (interview, focus group)Subject to bias of researcher (interview, focus group)
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
DisadvantagesDisadvantages
Difficulty in standardising data extraction method Difficulty in standardising data extraction method
and analysis and analysis Difficulty in comparison of studiesDifficulty in comparison of studies
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Interview studiesInterview studies
1. Unstructured - data more difficult to analyse1. Unstructured - data more difficult to analyse
2. Semi-structured - most commonly used, balance of 2. Semi-structured - most commonly used, balance of open and closed questionsopen and closed questions
3. Structured - loss of validity, ease of data analysis3. Structured - loss of validity, ease of data analysis
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Interview studiesInterview studies
May need to focus on certain areas
May need to promote active participation and interest
Use of guides or checklistsUse of guides or checklists
Prompted - vignettes, audio-visual Prompted - vignettes, audio-visual
More passive styles directed by preference of subject -More passive styles directed by preference of subject -
more costly but will get “deeper” and “richer” data.more costly but will get “deeper” and “richer” data.
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Interview studiesInterview studies
Depth interviewDepth interview
Paired interviewPaired interview
Peer-led interviewPeer-led interview
Incentives Incentives
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Different interview methodologiesDifferent interview methodologies
NarrativesNarratives
E-interviewsE-interviews
Telephone interviewsTelephone interviews
Interview based on subject diaries or narrativeInterview based on subject diaries or narrative
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Analysis MethodsAnalysis Methods
Transcript analysisTranscript analysis
Verbal analysisVerbal analysis
Visual analysisVisual analysis
Manual and other methodologiesManual and other methodologies
Word processor based programmesWord processor based programmes
Specific computer programmesSpecific computer programmes
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Analysis MethodsAnalysis Methods
A priori categories and dimensionsA priori categories and dimensions
Categories and dimensions generated by analysisCategories and dimensions generated by analysis
- most frequent category of response- most frequent category of response
- by particular response characteristic e.g. adjectival- by particular response characteristic e.g. adjectival
or affective or behavioural (chronic pain research)or affective or behavioural (chronic pain research)
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Analysis MethodsAnalysis Methods
Correspondence analysisCorrespondence analysis DidacticDidactic SemanticSemantic
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Group, observational and other methodologiesGroup, observational and other methodologies
Focus groupsFocus groups
Sample selectionSample selection
MotivationMotivation
Group dynamicsGroup dynamics
Facilitator roleFacilitator role
Observer / active rolesObserver / active roles
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Group, observational and other methodologiesGroup, observational and other methodologies
Jury GroupsJury Groups
Specific type of focus groupSpecific type of focus group
One or two aimsOne or two aims
Have common purpose or linkHave common purpose or link
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Group, observational and other methodologiesGroup, observational and other methodologies
Action ResearchAction Research
Empowerment of research subjects throughEmpowerment of research subjects through
participationparticipation
Researcher identifies user groups who work togetherResearcher identifies user groups who work together
identifying a common problem, devising a solution andidentifying a common problem, devising a solution and
assessing its effectsassessing its effects
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Group, observational and other methodologiesGroup, observational and other methodologies
Observational researchObservational research
To assess group interactionsTo assess group interactions
To assess power relationshipsTo assess power relationships
InfluencesInfluences
Sub-groupsSub-groups
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Group, observational and other methodologiesGroup, observational and other methodologies
Ethnographic researchEthnographic research
Researcher lives in group to be studiedResearcher lives in group to be studied
Becomes steeped in culture, valuesBecomes steeped in culture, values
Learns about culture, subculture, group valuesLearns about culture, subculture, group values
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Group, observational and other methodologiesGroup, observational and other methodologies
Questionnaire researchQuestionnaire research
Can be individualised e.g subject identifies problem orCan be individualised e.g subject identifies problem or
issue and rates issue and rates
Can be more or less structured e.g. leave option forCan be more or less structured e.g. leave option for
respondent to express views on important issues e.grespondent to express views on important issues e.g
your feedback on this module!your feedback on this module!
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Group, observational and other methodologiesGroup, observational and other methodologies
Questionnaire researchQuestionnaire research
By e-mail,By e-mail,
PostalPostal
Convenience sample Convenience sample
Household (door-to-door)Household (door-to-door)
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Group, observational and other methodologiesGroup, observational and other methodologies
Questionnaire researchQuestionnaire research
There are significant problems with response rates There are significant problems with response rates
Incentives can be usedIncentives can be used
There may be a problem with the information “depth”There may be a problem with the information “depth”
These can be difficult to interpret due to non-responseThese can be difficult to interpret due to non-response
biasbias
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Group, observational and other methodologiesGroup, observational and other methodologies
E-focus groupsE-focus groups
““Chatrooms” or communitiesChatrooms” or communities
E-mail shotsE-mail shots
IncentivisedIncentivised
Cost-effectiveCost-effective
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Problem OneProblem One
You are a NHS Trust manager working with the PCT inYou are a NHS Trust manager working with the PCT in
trying to increase the uptake of a primary caretrying to increase the uptake of a primary care
counselling service for people who have milder tocounselling service for people who have milder to
moderate severity depression, as referrals of peoplemoderate severity depression, as referrals of people
with these problems to the community mental healthwith these problems to the community mental health
teams are relentlessly increasing. teams are relentlessly increasing.
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Problem OneProblem One
The PCT has commissioned a consumer satisfactionThe PCT has commissioned a consumer satisfaction
questionnaire which has found high satisfaction levelsquestionnaire which has found high satisfaction levels
with users of the counselling service and are puzzledwith users of the counselling service and are puzzled
by the low take up rate. by the low take up rate.
The NHS Trust has similarly sought views of users ofThe NHS Trust has similarly sought views of users of
the CMHTs, who while very satisfied with the servicethe CMHTs, who while very satisfied with the service
offered by the CMHT are uncertain they would useoffered by the CMHT are uncertain they would use
primary care servicesprimary care services
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Problem OneProblem One
Why are there such different views of the primary careWhy are there such different views of the primary care
counselling service?counselling service?
What qualitative methods could be used to understandWhat qualitative methods could be used to understand
this problem?this problem?
How would this help to change perception of thisHow would this help to change perception of this
service? service?
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Problem TwoProblem Two
There is a high rate of non-attendance at all the There is a high rate of non-attendance at all the
out-patient services at your hospital. These are mentalout-patient services at your hospital. These are mental
health services for a working age adult population in ahealth services for a working age adult population in a
rural area. There has been a demographic change ofrural area. There has been a demographic change of
inward migration from other parts of the United Kingdominward migration from other parts of the United Kingdom
and the EU.and the EU.
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Problem TwoProblem Two
Using qualitative methodology how might youUsing qualitative methodology how might you
1. Aim to find out reasons for non-attendance1. Aim to find out reasons for non-attendance
2. Understand how services might be altered to improve 2. Understand how services might be altered to improve attendance ratesattendance rates
Again, using these principles, what are the potentialAgain, using these principles, what are the potential
risks of any service redesign?risks of any service redesign?
Research Methodology and Research Methodology and Epidemiology -4Epidemiology -4
Problem ThreeProblem Three
How can the benefits and adverse effects of clozapineHow can the benefits and adverse effects of clozapine
treatment be evaluated using qualitative methodology?treatment be evaluated using qualitative methodology?
What specific findings might make you want to redesignWhat specific findings might make you want to redesign
the service?the service?
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