Quality of reporting in chiropractic mixed methods research: a methodological review protocol

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Chiropractic Research
• Methodology Review

Background:

• Mixed methods research is increasingly utilized in healthcare to enhance study findings.
• The application and reporting quality of mixed methods in chiropractic research remain underexplored.
• This study addresses the knowledge gap concerning mixed methods in chiropractic literature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the prevalence and quality of mixed methods research within the chiropractic field.
• To identify factors influencing the reporting quality of chiropractic mixed methods studies, such as authorship and journal impact.
• To provide insights for enhancing the rigor and transparency of mixed methods research in chiropractic.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive systematic literature search of major databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Index to Chiropractic Literature) up to December 31, 2020.
• Inclusion criteria focused on studies employing both qualitative and quantitative methods or mixed qualitative methods.
• Quality assessment using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and reporting quality appraisal via the Good Reporting of A Mixed Methods Study (GRAMMS) guideline.

Main Results:

• This section is a placeholder as the study is a proposal and results are not yet available.
• The review will quantify the use of mixed methods in chiropractic research.
• The quality of reporting will be assessed using established appraisal tools.

Conclusions:

• This will be the first methodological review focusing on the reporting quality of mixed methods studies in chiropractic research.
• The findings are expected to highlight areas for improvement in the reporting of chiropractic mixed methods research.
• Results will be disseminated through publications and conference presentations to inform the research community.