Writing the proposal for a qualitative research methodology study is a double challenge because of the emergent nature of qualitative research design and because a methodology study entails describing a process to produce a process. How the authors addressed this challenge is shown in the annotated text of the grant proposal--"Analytic Techniques for Qualitative Metasynthesis"--funded by the Na...

A revised conception of the relationship between psychological science and professional practice is proposed in the light of postmodern changes in perspectives on knowledge. Positivistic science, which has dominated the traditional interpretation of scientist-practitioner training, is considered from a constructivist point of view to be only one possible foundation of psychological knowledge. I...

BACKGROUND Core outcome sets (COS) help to minimise bias in trials and facilitate evidence synthesis. Delphi surveys are increasingly being used as part of a wider process to reach consensus about what outcomes should be included in a COS. Qualitative research can be used to inform the development of Delphi surveys. This is an advance in the field of COS development and one which is potentially...

Over the last few years, increasing attention has been directed toward the problems inherent to measuring the quality of healthcare and implementing benchmarking strategies. Besides offering accreditation and certification processes, recent approaches measure the performance of healthcare institutions in order to evaluate their effectiveness, defined as the capacity to provide treatment that mo...

BACKGROUND Despite growing support for mixed methods approaches we still have little systematic knowledge about the consequences of combining surveys and focus groups. While the methodological aspects of questionnaire surveys have been researched extensively, the characteristics of focus group methodology are understudied. We suggest and discuss whether the focus group setting, as compared to q...

Address for correspondence: Dr. Shazia Jamshed, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Pahang, Malaysia. E‐mail: [email protected] Buckley and Chiang define research methodology as “a strategy or architectural design by which the researcher maps out an approach to problem‐finding or problem‐solving.”[1] According ...

A study assessed coursework and experiential activities of students to determine the role of research in Doctor of Pharmacy education. Questionnaires were sent to all 78 (at that time) colleges and schools of pharmacy in the United States. Responses were received from 60 (76.9%), of which 57 were used, representing 139 Pharm.D. program types (entry-level, post-B.S., track-in, nontraditional). M...

This study examined the short-term effects of neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) on the motor performance of daily living skills in 2 girls with cerebral palsy, aged 27 and 32 months. For 12 weeks, the subjects received treatment sessions consisting of NDT followed by play, or vice versa. After each treatment of play or NDT, the subjects were videotaped performing individually prescribed dressi...

BACKGROUND We describe the evaluation process and outcomes of Move & Improve, a worksite wellness program in Maine. The evaluation process was based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health and community-based participatory research principles. Innovative approaches are required to address burgeoning chronic disease trends and risk fa...

BACKGROUND Ethnographic research methods have a considerable history of use in medical settings. This paper provides a personal account of conducting ethnography in medical environments and focuses on some of the practical and ethical issues encountered in such settings. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The paper describes particular issues that arise when undertaking ethnographic work, such as gain...