Table 6 Roles of methods in mixed methods studies in HSR
Role of quantitative | Â | Â |
|---|---|---|
| Â | Proposal (N = 43) | Report (N = 48) |
   Test effectiveness | 47% (20) | 46% (22) |
   Describe | 40% (17) | 54% (26) |
   Explain variability | 26% (11) | 21% (10) |
   Determine sample for qualitative | 35% (15) | 40% (19) |
   Generalise the qualitative findings | 5% (2) | 4% (2) |
   Generate consensus | 5% (2) | 2% (1) |
   Psychometrically test | 2% (1) | 4% (2) |
   Provide topic guide for qualitative | 2% (1) | 4% (2) |
Role of qualitative | Â | Â |
   Develop the research question | 0% (0) | 0% (0) |
   Generate hypothesis | 0% (0) | 0% (0) |
   Establish theoretical framework | 2% (1) | 2% (1) |
   Determine sample | 2% (1) | 0% (0) |
   Generate content of instrument | 30% (13) | 10% (5) |
   Cognitively test instrument | 9% (4) | 6% (3) |
   Aid scale construction | 0% (0) | 2% (1) |
   Test validity of questionnaire | 0% (0) | 2% (1) |
   Develop intervention | 16% (7) | 13% (6) |
   Pilot intervention | 2% (1) | 2% (1) |
   Describe intervention | 12% (5) | 4% (2) |
   Study how intervention works | 19% (8) | 8% (4) |
   Study how the service works | 5% (2) | 13% (6) |
   Study intervention in practice | 12% (5) | 6% (3) |
   Process evaluation | 14% (6) | 4% (2) |
   Views of intervention | 2% (1) | 8% (4) |
   Determine outcomes and measures | 0% (0) | 0% (0) |
   Improve trial methodology | 5% (2) | 2% (1) |
   Explore RCT as social construct | 2% (1) | 0% (0) |
   Facilitate user involvement | 0% (0) | 2% (1) |
   Explore an issue | 33% (14) | 38% (18) |
   Uncover issues inaccessible to quant | 7% (3) | 0% (0) |
   Explore acceptability of care | 7% (3) | 6% (3) |
   Assess effectiveness | 0% (0) | 2% (1) |
   Explain relationships | 12% (5) | 10% (5) |
   Explore unusual findings | 0% (0) | 0% (0) |
   Explore issues from quantitative | 7% (3) | 4% (2) |
   Explore identified unusual groups | 2% (1) | 0% (0) |
   Offer case illustrations | 5% (2) | 6% (3) |
   Offer depth information on new cases | 12% (5) | 6% (3) |
   Confirm a quantitative finding | 2% (1) | 4% (2) |
   Understand results in real world | 7% (3) | 2% (1) |