Hubert van Griensven1, Ann P Moore2, Valerie Hall2. 1. Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK; Centre for Health Research, University of Brighton, UK. Electronic address: H.VanGriensven2@brighton.ac.uk. 2. Centre for Health Research, University of Brighton, UK.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: There has been a bias towards quantitative research approaches within manual therapy, which may have resulted in a narrow understanding of manual therapy practice. The aim of this Masterclass is to make a contribution to the expansion of methodologies used in manual therapy enquiry by discussing mixed methods research (MMR), a methodology which utilises both qualitative and quantitative methods within a single study in order to provide more comprehensive insights. PURPOSE: To review rationales for MMR, as well as some of the common design options and potential difficulties. The paper also discusses theoretical frameworks that have been used to underpin qualitative and quantitative research, and ongoing debates about the possibility of combining them. IMPLICATIONS: Complexities associated with health and manual therapy cannot always be investigated satisfactorily by using a single research method. Some issues require a more comprehensive understanding, which may be provided by combining the strengths of quantitative and qualitative methods in a mixed methods study.
INTRODUCTION: There has been a bias towards quantitative research approaches within manual therapy, which may have resulted in a narrow understanding of manual therapy practice. The aim of this Masterclass is to make a contribution to the expansion of methodologies used in manual therapy enquiry by discussing mixed methods research (MMR), a methodology which utilises both qualitative and quantitative methods within a single study in order to provide more comprehensive insights. PURPOSE: To review rationales for MMR, as well as some of the common design options and potential difficulties. The paper also discusses theoretical frameworks that have been used to underpin qualitative and quantitative research, and ongoing debates about the possibility of combining them. IMPLICATIONS: Complexities associated with health and manual therapy cannot always be investigated satisfactorily by using a single research method. Some issues require a more comprehensive understanding, which may be provided by combining the strengths of quantitative and qualitative methods in a mixed methods study.
Authors: Femke Jansen; Cornelia F van Uden-Kraan; J Annemieke Braakman; Paulina M van Keizerswaard; Birgit I Witte; Irma M Verdonck-de Leeuw Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2014-11-28 Impact factor: 3.603