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Related Concept Videos

Longitudinal Research02:20

Longitudinal Research

Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
The Scientific Method02:40

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Research is what makes the difference between facts and opinions. Facts are observable realities, and opinions are personal judgments, conclusions, or attitudes that may or may not be accurate. In the scientific community, facts can be established only using evidence collected through empirical research.
The Scientific Method01:32

The Scientific Method

The scientific method is a detailed, empirical problem-solving process used by biologists and other scientists. This iterative approach involves formulating a question based on observation, developing a testable potential explanation for the observation (called a hypothesis), making and testing predictions based on the hypothesis, and using the findings to create new hypotheses and predictions.
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The Scientific Method03:50

The Scientific Method

Chemistry is an empirical science. Scientists often pose questions to understand the chemistry in everyday life and seek answers to these questions. To achieve this, scientists follow a definitive series of steps that together make up the Scientific Method. This approach involves making observations, asking questions, building a hypothesis, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and forming a conclusion.
Observational Studies01:11

Observational Studies

Observational studies are a type of analytical study where researchers observe events without any interventions. In other words, the researcher does not influence the response variable or the experiment's outcome.
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Prospective Study
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Systematic Error: Methodological and Sampling Errors01:15

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In the case of systematic errors, the sources can be identified, and the errors can be subsequently minimized by addressing these sources. According to the source, systematic errors can be divided into sampling, instrumental, methodological, and personal errors.
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Updated: May 13, 2026

The Participant-Reported Implementation Update and Score (PRIUS): A Novel Method for Capturing Implementation-Related Data Over Time
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The Participant-Reported Implementation Update and Score (PRIUS): A Novel Method for Capturing Implementation-Related Data Over Time

Published on: February 19, 2021

Spiral comparison: operationalizing iterative integration in mixed methods research.

Ashley R Turner1, Timothy C Guetterman2

  • 1College of Nursing, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13120 E 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. Ashley.2.turner@cuanschutz.edu.

BMC Medical Research Methodology
|May 12, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces spiral comparison, a novel mixed methods research approach for iterative data integration and synthesis. It enhances understanding of complex phenomena, offering a replicable method for study design and analysis in health sciences.

Keywords:
Grounded theoryMetainferencesMixed methodsSpiral comparisonSpiral comparison pause

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Enactive Phenomenological Approach to the Trier Social Stress Test: A Mixed Methods Point of View

Published on: January 7, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Health Sciences Research Methodology
  • Mixed Methods Research Design
  • Qualitative and Quantitative Synthesis

Background:

  • Mixed methods research integrates qualitative depth with quantitative breadth for comprehensive understanding.
  • Spiral approaches offer iterative integration but lack clear operationalization.
  • Existing spiral models in mixed methods research are conceptual and limit broader application.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present spiral comparison as a replicable method for mixed methods study design and synthesis.
  • To operationalize spiral approaches within a convergent mixed methods-grounded theory study.
  • To enhance the understanding of motivation for physical activity in an underserved population.

Main Methods:

  • Descriptive methodological paper detailing the spiral comparison approach.
  • Convergent mixed methods-grounded theory design.
  • Cyclical integration of qualitative and quantitative data throughout collection and analysis, using joint displays.

Main Results:

  • Spiral comparison facilitated iterative data collection, analysis, and theoretical sampling.
  • Identified key incongruences, prompted sampling updates, and refined analytic focus.
  • Enabled the derivation of a grounded theory model for physical activity motivation.

Conclusions:

  • Spiral comparison offers a structured, replicable method for navigating complexity in mixed methods research.
  • The approach enhances transparency, rigor, and theory development.
  • Advocates for broader adoption of spiral comparison in health sciences and other research fields.