Examining mixing methods in an evaluation of a smoking cessation program
Anne Betzner1, Frances P Lawrenz2, Mao Thao2
1Professional Data Analysts, Inc., 219 Main Street SE, Suite 302, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA.
Evaluation and Program Planning
|November 2, 2015
Summary
Evaluating smoking cessation interventions requires careful method selection. Combining diverse research methods, like surveys and interviews, yields varied findings, impacting study outcomes and recommendations.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Mixed Methods Research
Background:
- Evaluating health interventions, such as smoking cessation programs, necessitates robust methodologies.
- The choice of evaluation methods can significantly influence study findings and their interpretation.
- Understanding the impact of different methodological approaches is crucial for effective program assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a smoking cessation study using three distinct methods: surveys, focus groups, and phenomenological interviews.
- To analyze the effects of combining these methods using pragmatic and dialectic stances.
- To compare decision-maker opinions and costs associated with each evaluation method.
Main Methods:
- Surveys: Quantitative data collection.
- Focus Groups: Qualitative group discussions.
- Phenomenological Interviews: In-depth qualitative individual interviews.
- Mixed Methods Analysis: Separate and combined analysis with pragmatic and dialectic approaches.
Main Results:
- Diverse findings emerged when methods with greater philosophical differences were combined.
- The philosophical distance between methods correlated with the diversity of results.
- Comparisons of decision-maker opinions and method costs were detailed.
Conclusions:
- The selection and combination of evaluation methods significantly influence the breadth and nature of study findings.
- Evaluators should consider the philosophical underpinnings of methods when designing mixed-methods studies.
- Recommendations are provided for optimizing the use of diverse evaluation methods in health intervention research.
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