Systematic research synthesis of qualitative research and mixed methods
Hennie and Floryt have been working together as a research team on a program to develop, refine, and evaluate methods to synthesize qualitative research, quantitative research and mixed methods studies, since 2009. Hennie’s expertise is qualitative research, while Floryt’s background is in quantitative research. They combine the two in mixed methods research. Floryt earned her Ph.D. in July of 2011 and Hennie was one of her supervisors. Leonie was added to the team in August 2011 as a Ph.D. student. In our research we cooperate with many people in the Netherlands and abroad. Below we will map out our research interests and the people we share our interests with.
Synthesis of qualitative research
What is it?
Qualitative research enables us to examine topics from the view of the people it concerns. Qualitative studies are sometimes referred to as ‘views’-studies and are characterised by flexible ways of data-collection and analysis and they are often small-scaled. Qualitative synthesis is the summarisation and interpretation of systematically retrieved qualitative studies in a specific area. The results offer the possibility for generalisations as the synthesis covers larger and more diverse samples and more dimensions of the topic of interest than a single study can ever do. Systematic research syntheses provide an evidence base for development and evaluation of interventions in professional practice and policy.
Current research
Currently we are involved in several qualitative synthesis projects to develop synthesis methods. We conduct syntheses in, for example, trauma, participation, and family care. We have examined different ways of weighing evidence in a qualitative synthesis and now focus on improvement of the analytical methods and decisions on inclusion of studies in syntheses. We have also examined how mixed methods studies should be dealt with in a synthesis context (see below).
A core project in our program is a Ph.D. study into methods that can accommodate qualitative studies as well as quantitative studies. Based on a qualitative synthesis and a meta-analysis we will develop and evaluate three different methods to integrate the outcomes. Many of these methods are aimed at theory building in social sciences either in the form of a program theory underlying a specific intervention, i.e. reduction of parental stress, or in the form of a more fundamental theory about a specific social scientific phenomenon, i.e. refugees’ resilience.
Cooperation
Eva Alisic (Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Melbourne), Maureen Bult (Rehabilitation Centre, De Hoogstraat) & Niina Kolehmainen (University of Aberdeen), Sharon Klaassen (Research master student Methods & Statistics) & Ireen de Graaf (Trimbos Institute), Meike Slagt (Developmental Psychology, Utrecht University), Marieke Sleijpen (Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University), Maartje Swennen (University Medical Center Utrecht).
Mixed methods research
What is it?
Combinations of quantitative and qualitative research are referred to as mixed methods research. Four objectives of mixed methods research are distinguished: 1) Complementary purposes (studies aiming at more complete results, but not necessarily examining the same topic with both methods), 2) Triangulation (studies aiming at providing different perspectives on the same topic), 3) Evaluation purposes and 4) Measuring instrument development. The surplus value or yield of mixed methods research results from an actual integration of both strands of research.
Current research
We have examined the yield of mixed methods studies and formulate methodological recommendations for improving mixed methods studies. Our research focuses on the development and use of mixed methods, for instance in an experimental setting (evaluation of a nurse practitioner intervention for frail elderly; evaluation of rewarding commuters to avoid the rush hour) and when studying measurement variance in a longitudinal survey.
A specific application of qualitative research within the survey setting is cognitive interviewing. A cognitive interview is a mainly qualitative interview to pretest a questionnaire. In cooperation with Gordon Willis we have developed an instrument for reporting cognitive interviewing studies. We call this instrument the CIRF: Cognitive Interviewing Reporting Framework. Manuscripts that address this topic are currently under review for a special issue in a journal.
Cooperation:
Eran Ben-Elia (University of the West of England) & Dick Ettema (Social Geography, Utrecht University), Peter Lugtig (Methodology & Statistics, Utrecht University), Astrid Onderwater, Nienke Bleijenberg & Marieke Schuurmans (University Medical Center Utrecht), Meike Slagt (Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University), Gordon Willis (NCI/NIH, Baltimore, USA).
Related research topics
Relevant websites
- Homepage Hennie Boeije. You can also find Hennie Boeije on LinkedIn.
- Kwalon. Network qualitative researchers in the Netherlands.
- IIQM. International Institute for Qualitative Methods in Canada.
- EPPI centre in London conducts many reviews and owns an extensive library.
- Leuven research group collaborates with Cochrane and Campbell.
Key publications
Please have a look at my homepage and feel free to ask for a copy of a paper.
- Boeije, H.R., Wesel, F. van & Alisic, E. (2011). Making a difference: towards a method for weighing the evidence in a qualitative synthesis. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 17: 657-663.
- Boeije, H.R. (2010). Analysis in qualitative research. London: Sage.
- Boeije, H.R. (2011). Qualitative and quantitative research: a comparison and combination. Keynote lecture at the 375th Anniversary of Utrecht University, 8th June (click here).
- Wesel, F., Boeije, H.R., Alisic, E. & Drost S. (In press). I=ll be working my way back. A qualitative synthesis on the trauma experience of children. Psychological trauma: theory, research, practice, and policy.
- Lugtig, P., Boeije, H.R. & Lensvelt-Mulders, G. (2011). Change? What change? Using mixed methods research to understand longitudinal measurement invariance. Methodology.
- Alisic, E., Boeije, H.R., Jongmans, M.J. & Kleber, R. (2011). Children’s perspectives on dealing with traumatic events. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 16(6): 477-496.