Description

Mixed methods application in health intervention research: A multiple case study

Wanqing Zhang

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Abstract

This paper explores the application of mixed methods in health intervention research through analyzing 60 published journal articles and six one-on-one interviews with the lead authors, and discusses the procedure, benefits and challenges of using mixed methods in designing and conducting evidence-based health intervention research. I chose a multiple case study approach to gain in-depth knowledge of the current applications of mixed methods in health intervention. Collective case study data were obtained from in-depth interviews and published mixed methods articles on health intervention in three health science areas. Results showed the unique advantages of applying mixed methods within the context of implementation research. Qualitative data can be collected before, during, or after the intervention to inform a better intervention design, to provide descriptions of the implementation process, or to explore the in-depth reason of quantitative results. In mixed methods research the rigor of the study is equally important but different procedures are used to enhance this method.

Keywords: mixed methods, health intervention research, multiple case study, one-on-one interviews, procedures, benefits and challenges