Using mixed methods to facilitate complex, multiphased health research

Abstract

From conceptualization to application and evaluation, research is conducted in a context of increasing complexity of disciplines, goals, communities, and partnerships. Researchers often are challenged to demonstrate the rigor of their methods and results to audiences with diverse backgrounds and disciplinary expertise. This article illustrates the benefits of using mixed methods approaches in research designed to address issues in complex research projects. It outlines the implementation of a private, public, and academic partnership, where scientific merit of methods and results was a critical foundation to the development of public policy. The overall goal of the Public Health Leadership Competencies Project (the Project) was to identify public health leadership competencies that could apply to public health practice across the country. This research demonstrates how mixed methods research in public health might be of perceived benefit to complex projects. The Project included challenges and opportunities through multiple phases of data collection and participation of members from each of the seven disciplines in public health (i.e., public health dentists, physicians, dietitians, and nurses, as well as epidemiologists, health promoters, and environmental health inspectors). The discussion addresses challenges of a national project, the complex organizational framework within which we were directed to work, and the lessons associated with using multiple sources of data.