There's an increasing number of studies on the use of qualitative and mixed methods research in clinical trials but process of translating evidence from clinical trials to practice and policy remains problematic. Just wondering how qualitative and mixed methods could be used more effectively to facilitate translation.
The question has been asked many times. Translation of research remains a major concern, as implementation continues to make research inaccessible. There are at least two major issues: Continued monitoring of the success/failure/problems of the new intervention or practice and fidelity. One must pick one's research questions and decide how will one answer the questions. Surveys? Observations? Participant-observations? Interviews/focus groups? How does one stage of the research support the next or other? Here is an important point: Do not make all decisions now, unless your ethics board or IRB requires it. Why? Being iterative means as one researches, new problems and needs arise that should direct your endeavors.
You could consider two types of sequential designs with mixed methods research. The first is an exploratory sequential design (qual --> QUAN) where you use qualitative inputs to help generate your intervention. In this case, you would consider translation right from the start, and use the insights from a preliminary qualitative study to maximize that application.
Second, in sequential explanatory designs (QUAN --> qual), you follow up the primary quantitative study with a qualitative study to help you understand or make use of the results. In this case, you would target issues of translation in your follow-up study.
You could embed your mixed-methods approach to a clinical trial by utilising a process evaluation framework. For example with RCTs, when evaluating complex interventions, the MRC framework for complex interventions provides a framework upon which your trial methodology can be based. This is a rigorous process which includes the critical evaluation of trial findings but also considers evidence based trial protocol development, PPI involvement, trial team evaluation and generailsed recommendations. A nice example of this is by Cassarino et al (2022). See below. @
Cassarino M, Cronin Ú, Robinson K, Quinn R, Boland F, Ward ME, McNamara R, O'Connor M, McCarthy G, Ryan D, Galvin R. Development and delivery of an allied health team intervention for older adults in the emergency department: A process evaluation. PLoS One. 2022 May 26;17(5):e0269117. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269117. PMID: 35617330; PMCID: PMC9135235.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Artificial Intelligence