November 10, 2016

How to train health professionals in mixed methods research

A recent publication by Timothy Guetterman, PHD, assistant professor, evaluates the first mixed methods training program for the health sciences, a project partnership between the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University, and Harvard University.

 

Mixed Methods Research Training Program

 

If you read his new faculty profile, you probably already know Timothy Guetterman, PhD, MA, assistant professor, as the resident applied research methodologist in the Department of Family Medicine. One of Dr. Guetterman's main interests is increasing the capacity of health and medical professionals to conduct quality research. One way that Dr. Guetterman works towards this mission is by shaping a new and competitive national mixed methods research training program for health professionals and early career health research investigators.  The Mixed Methods Research Training Program for the Health Science Program (MMRTP) is beginning its second-year of operation. The program is a collaboration between our department, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center (CATALYST). It is the first of its kind to offer mixed methods education and membership for the health sciences.

Dr. Guetterman recently published an article in the Journal of Mixed Methods Research that provides a process evaluation of the first cohort training retreat of the Mixed Methods Research Training Program. The qualitative approach utilized observation field notes, semi-structured interviews, and participant self-assessments. Analysis yielded new discoveries of 1.) the motivations of participants, who were health sciences professionals from around the country, 2.) the skills and topics they find most necessary to their success as mixed methods research investigators, and 3.) the value of the interactive nature of the program retreat's. 

Read Dr. Guetterman's full report in the Journal of Mixed Methods ResearchTo see an overview of mixed methods research happening in the department, see our Research Areas page.

Full article citation: Guetterman TC, Creswell JW, Deutsch C, Gallo JJ. Process Evaluation of a Retreat for Scholars in the First Cohort The NIH Mixed Methods Research Training Program for the Health Science. Journal of Mixed Methods Research. 26 Oct 2016. DOI: 10.1177/1558689816674564

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