Welcome! Seminar – Monday 6:00 EST HS Seminar Unit 4 Prof. Jocelyn Ramos

HS305 Research Methods for Health Sciences Audio Seminar! Please be sure your speakers are on! 2 Slide presentation by Ellen Weston with modifications

Agenda Review of unit project Key Terms Critique of an interview

Key Terms Qualitative Research Designs –Case Study –Ethnography –Phenomenological Study –Grounded Theory Study –Content Analysis

Key Terms Research Methods for Qualitative Designs –Observation –Interviews Questionnaires –Open-ended questions –Fixed alternative questions

Unit 6 Project: Questionnaire Two Parts –Cover letter and questionnaire –Discussion of data collection method You might want to try Survey Monkey: s:ps:yahoo s:ps:yahoo –Free and fun to use!

Organization of Questionnaires Create introductory material to increase response rate –Cover letter –Introductory statement –Thank respondents for participating Use descriptive title Ensure question order does not influence responses Use instructions throughout questionnaire to minimize respondent confusion Craft questions so they are easy to complete Use numbers to designate response choices

Unit 6 Questionnaire Cover letter Write for expected participants Be clear and to the point Identify purpose of questionnaire to –Enhance likelihood of completion –Add to the credibility of the project Be concise!

Unit 6 Questionnaire Scenario Problem in Dr. Know’s Clinic: Pediatric patients with respiratory infections resistance to antibiotics Many children underweight Immigrants Do parents understand nutrition?

Unit 6 Questionnaire Survey section Appropriate for ethnography research What is ethnography research?

Unit 6 Questionnaire Survey section Appropriate for ethnography research Qualitative research Studies an intact cultural group Conducted in a natural setting Focuses on a period of time What cultural factors may be related to Dr. Know’s problem?

Unit 6 Questionnaire Factors to consider Focus: factors contributing to malnutrition Immigrants Knowledgeable of nutrition? Native foods available locally?

Unit 6 Questionnaire Survey section Ethical issues related to an ethnography study

Unit 6 Questionnaire Survey section Ethical issues related to an ethnography study –Cultural sensitivity needed –Potential language barriers –Reluctance to be truthful –Because of cultural mores may feel they cannot refuse

Unit 6 Questionnaire Survey section Appropriate for ethnography research questions (no more) including: –2 fixed alternative questions with only 2 potential answers –5 fixed alternative questions with 4-5 potential answers –1 open-ended question –Other questions for a minimum of 10 questions; maximum of 15 questions

Basic Principles of Writing Survey Questions Avoid confusing phrasing & jargon Use correct grammar and spelling Be concise, but clear. Use shorter rather than longer words & sentences Relate questions to the purpose of the questionnaire

Types of Questions Open-EndedFixed Alternative

Types of Questions Allow respondent to fill in own answer May ask for specific information or May ask for narrative response –Respondent says/writes whatever he/she wants Open-EndedFixed Alternative

Types of Questions Allow respondent to fill in own answer May ask for specific information or May ask for narrative response –Respondent says/writes whatever he/she wants Respondent chooses from list of possible responses May also be called –Fixed choice questions –Forced choice questions Open-EndedFixed Alternative

Examples of Types of Questions What is your annual income? Check appropriate box:  no income  Less than $5000  $ $20,000  More than $20,000 Open-EndedFixed Alternative

Fixed Alternative Questions Must have mutually exclusive and exhaustive response categories –Exhaustive=all possible choices included –Exclusive=only one possible response

Fixed Alternative Questions Exhaustive=all possible choices included Which example is exhaustive? How many times have you visited a doctor in the last year? or more o 1-2 o 2-3 o 3-4 o 5 o 6

Fixed Alternative Questions Exclusive=only one possible response Which example is exclusive? How many times have you visited a doctor in the last year? or more o 1-2 o 2-3 o 3-4 o 5 o 6

Likert “Questions” Usually framed as declarative statements – not questions Describe intensity of feeling/belief/opinion –With or without an explicitly measured neutral point in the center StronglyAgreeNoDisagreeStrongly AgreeOpinionDisagree 1234 StronglyAgreeDisagreeStrongly AgreeDisagree

Ethical Issues

Dealing with Sensitive Subjects –Self-report –No identifying information Web-based studies –Researcher cannot guarantee absolute anonymity of web survey Harm –Most harm in survey research arises from breach of confidentiality –Some surveys may cause psychological harm

Unit 6 Questionnaire Part 2 Analyze how you would conduct your survey Approximately 1 page Use Standard English Use APA format with citations and references

Methods to conduct a Questionnaire

Telephone Internet Mail Self administered question given in a group of people Face to face Interview

Interviews v. Questionnaires Interviews –Structured –Unstructured –Semi-Structured Questionnaires –Written questions with response area –No opportunity to clarify meaning of questions 30

Face to Face Interviews ProsCons 31

Face to Face Interviews Rapport - increases completion rates Meaning explained that is not clear Interviewer can go into unplanned areas to get the most complete info from respondents; tailor questions ProsCons 32

Face to Face Interviews Rapport - increases completion rates Meaning explained that is not clear Interviewer can go into unplanned areas to get the most complete info from respondents; tailor questions Time consuming Expensive Respondent might give answer that she/he expects will please interviewer ProsCons 33

Let’s have Some Fun! Web Field Trip Use two windows –DO NOT CLOSE the seminar!!! Go to o/play?p=health+interview&ei=UTF- 8&fr=att-portal&vid= o/play?p=health+interview&ei=UTF- 8&fr=att-portal&vid= What type of interview is this? Structured? Unstructured? Semi-structured? Explain your answer! 34

Web Field Trip Did the interviewer establish rapport? What are some of the specific steps used to develop rapport? 35

Web Field Trip Did the interviewer establish rapport? What are some of the specific steps used to develop rapport? Were questions focused rather than abstract? 36

Web Field Trip Did the interviewer establish rapport? What are some of the specific steps used to develop rapport? Were questions focused rather than abstract? Did the interviewer lead the discussion to get specific desired answers? 37

Web Field Trip Did the interviewer establish rapport? What are some of the specific steps used to develop rapport? Were questions focused rather than abstract? Did the interviewer lead the discussion to get specific desired answers? Do you think the interview was effective? 38

Web Field Trip Did the interviewer establish rapport? What are some of the specific steps used to develop rapport? Were questions focused rather than abstract? Did the interviewer lead the discussion to get specific desired answers? Do you think the interview was effective? Would the interview prompt you to learn more about the person interviewed? About what? 39

Your Experience How are questionnaires used in your area of health science? How are interviews used? Have you ever created a questionnaire? Please share your experience! With what type do you think you would be most comfortable: creating a questionnaire or conducting an interview? Explain your answer! 40

Why are Surveys used in Health Science? Easy to complete Many people find them enjoyable and readily participate Standardized answers are easier to analyze

Scientific Research Process Step 4c. Research Methods Data Collection tools, such as –Experiments –Surveys & Interviews –Naturalistic Observation –Correlation –Case studies –Other methods More than one method can be used in a single study

Coming Attractions: Unit 7 Seminar: Helping Dr. Iwant T. Know develop a sampling plan Discussion: Analysis of various Descriptive designs

Questions? Thanks for participating ! 44