Mixed methods: A justification, explication, and example

In this chapter we explain why it may be appropriate to use a mixed methods research design to address particular research questions. Mixed methods approaches involve at least two different forms of data collection that are combined in one study. Here we focus on a type of mixed methods research protocol called a concurrent nested design in which data from a quantitative survey are combined with qualitative data from in-depth interviews. Using as an example a recent study on prison adjustment and reentry, we explain how to implement a concurrent nested design in the field and why it is a valuable approach to use for certain research questions. Because the example study that we are using was interrupted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we also address how unexpected events that arise during a research endeavor can be handled to ensure the successful completion of a project. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023. All rights reserved.

Virtual educational therapy: A case study of clinical supports and advocacy

A case study is a research approach that is used to generate an in-depth, multifaceted understanding of a complex issue in its real-life context. It is both time- and space-bound and is useful to explore, describe, and explain phenomena. It is an established research design that is used extensively in a wide variety of disciplines, particularly in the social sciences, including education. Many master's programs employ the case study methodology as the basis for the culminating project. The case study methodology is especially relevant to advancing "younger disciplines" such as educational therapy. Many do not understand the training and difference in approaches between an Educational Therapist and a tutor, so publishing case studies is crucial. This book presents a board-certified educational therapist's year-long case study of clinical supports and advocacy for a student with learning disabilities who is attending school remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. With online and blended learning, now the norm in K-12 education, educational therapists need new models of intervention, treatment, and relationship-building for their child-age clients. The book offers detailed single-case research focused on a middle-school student who is learning virtually while challenged with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as well as visual and verbal memory issues, but who is nonetheless found ineligible for special education services. Across eight chapters, the book describes the neuropsychological principles, research-based techniques, personal interactions, clinical approaches, and advocacy efforts that led to a vulnerable student's significant gains in academic skills and outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The impact of perceived organizational support on professional commitment: a moderation of burnout and mediation of well-being

PurposeIn today's challenging world, achieving professional commitment among healthcare workers is becoming the need of time. Drawing on self-determination theory, the current study examines how and under which boundary conditions perceived organizational support affects professional commitment.Design/methodology/approachData was collected from doctors and nurses employed in public and private sector hospitals by employing a split-questionnaire design.FindingsThe authors' study findings demonstrate that perceived organizational support has a positive and indirect effect on the professional commitment of nurses and doctors via mediating the role of subjective well-being. The authors also found that these findings depend on healthcare workers' burnout levels. The positive relationship between perceived organizational support and subjective well-being is attenuated by burnout syndrome.Practical implicationsThe current study poses implications for policymakers and administrators of healthcare institutions as well as to develop a supportive culture to evoke more professional commitment among healthcare workers. Implications for nursing managers and policymakers are discussed in light of the study findings.Originality/valueHealthcare institutions are increasingly paying attention to raising the professional commitment of their workforce, especially in the wake of a crisis like the COVID-19 outbreak. The current study will add to the body of literature on nursing management, healthcare studies and organizational psychology in the South Asian context by explaining the relationship between POS and professional commitment, drawing on self-determination theory.

Academic Framing of Computational Representations in the Virtual Classroom during Covid-19

Keywords: Agenda;Framing;Social representations;Expectations;Computer Introduction The development of research projects often requires the competition of computers, software and data analysis techniques, but the acceptance, appropriation and intensive use of them presents limitations in terms of utility and risk expectations [1]. Some explanatory models of human capital formation suggest that the formation of talent or intellectual capital in intangible assets of organizations is due to habitus [3]. [...]the predictive models of the social representations of these determinants have not been observed in the explanation of the relations with the intensive use of technologies, devices and electronic networks. [...]the objective of the present work was to establish the academic link relative to the social representations of computer computers, considering the dimensions of the organizational, educational and cognitive models. Methodology A documentary, retrospective and exploratory study was carried out with a selection of sources indexed to international repositories Table 1, considering the indexing period from 2019 to 2021, as well as the search by allusive keywords for negative (stigma, risk, rejection) and positive (utility, acceptance, appropriation) (Table 1) Content analysis and opinion matrices were used, considering the inclusion of findings, ratings and comparisons of coded data such as;-1 for negative dimensions (stigma, risk and rejection) and +1 for positive dimensions (utility, acceptance and appropriation) The qualitative data analysis package was used, considering equation (1) in which the contingency relations and the proportions of probabilities of taking risks in permissible thresholds of human capital formation stand out The contrast of the null hypotheses was made from the estimation of these parameters.

The Effects of the Communicative Approach and the Use of Information Technology on Students' Motivation and Achievement in Indonesian Language Learning

-This study aimed to explain the structural influence of the implementation of the communicative approach and the use of information technology in Indonesian language learning on students motivation and learning achievement. This research was conducted in Blitar, Indonesia, and 186 students were chosen as the samples. An explanatory research design was used in this research. The data collection techniques used questionnaires and documentation, while data analysis techniques used descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling. The results of the analysis showed that there was a direct effect of the communication approach and the use of information technology on students learning motivation. There was a significant direct effect of students learning motivation on students achievement in the Indonesian language class. The communicative approach had an indirect effect on students achievement and showed a stronger coefficient of the effect on learning motivation compared to the use of information technology. These findings were discussed in depth based on the theory and results of previous studies.

Defining representativeness of study samples in medical and population health research.

Medical and population health science researchers frequently make ambiguous statements about whether they believe their study sample or results are representative of some (implicit or explicit) target population. This article provides a comprehensive definition of representativeness, with the goal of capturing the different ways in which a study can be representative of a target population. It is proposed that a study is representative if the estimate obtained in the study sample is generalisable to the target population (owing to representative sampling, estimation of stratum specific effects, or quantitative methods to generalise or transport estimates) or the interpretation of the results is generalisable to the target population (based on fundamental scientific premises and substantive background knowledge). This definition is explored in the context of four covid-19 studies, ranging from laboratory science to descriptive epidemiology. All statements regarding representativeness should make clear the way in which the study results generalise, the target population the results are being generalised to, and the assumptions that must hold for that generalisation to be scientifically or statistically justifiable.

The Relationship between Social Media Exposure and Social Comparison Level: Instagram as a Model

This research designed to discover the relationship between the exposure of social media and social comparison level, taking Instagram as a model based on age, social status, educational level, job, frequency of opening Instagram daily and numbers of hours spend on the app per day as study variables to discover if there are relationships between these variables and social comparison level among Palestinian females Instagram users. This research is a descriptive study used the survey methodology that depended on pre- prepared questionnaire was developed by Sharmaa, et al. (2022). The internal consistency was checked by Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient. The values of the test were above 0.9, point out excellent (1.0–0.90) reliability for all the constructs (Sharma, et al., 2022). The sample included 140 Palestinian females who have an effective Instagram application and use it periodically. Frequencies tables and One Way ANOVA test were used by SPSS program to examine the hypothesis of the study. Six statistical hypotheses were tested. Results from data analyzing found that there is no significant statistical relationship between the exposure to Instagram and social comparison level based on age, educational level, social status, job, frequency of opening the app per day and number of hours spend on the app per day. The research found that the sample's majority expressed that Others' Instagram posts inspire and motivate them. Also,half of the sample care about the way the others interact with their posts and think that people present themselves on Instagram in a different way compared to reality and that they don't make positive or negative judgments on others based on their number of likes and followers.

Qualitative Research with Former International Students: Reflections on Conceptualization, Planning and Relational Engagement

The number of international students seeking a foreign education, particularly in Westernized countries, has grown dramatically over the past decade, and is predicted to continue to increase, despite a period of disruption due to COVID-19. Given this growth, there is a significant body of research on key insights into the initial transition experiences, both academic and personal, of international students to the host country, with a developing body of research exploring their post-study transition. Understanding these post-study transitions is important in creating policy and services that appropriately support international students. Due to the diverse and sometimes complex post-study pathways of former international students, accessing this population to conduct qualitative research can create challenges for researchers. To help address these challenges, the authors highlight three critical considerations based on their qualitative research experiences in Westernized countries with former international students, including conceptual understandings, logistical planning, and relational engagement. Moreover, the authors share examples of pragmatic solutions related to challenges with conceptual understandings, logistical planning, and relational engagement in qualitative research with former international students. The purpose of this article is to start and invite discussion around how best to reach, access, and work with former international students to expand qualitative research on the post-study experience.

Life During COVID for Court-Involved People

Data from a unique survey of court-involved New Yorkers collected during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 provides evidence for a cycle of disadvantage involving penal control, material hardship, and health risk. We find evidence of chaotic jail conditions from March to May 2020 in the early phase of the pandemic, and high levels of housing and food insecurity, and joblessness for those leaving jail or with current criminal cases. The highest levels of material hardship—measured by housing insecurity, unemployment, shelter stays, and poor self-reported health—were experienced by those with mental illness and substance use problems who had been incarcerated.

The Impact of Mental Health Leadership on Teamwork in Healthcare Organizations: A Serial Mediation Study

Background: There is compelling evidence to suggest that leadership behaviour and teamwork are critical success factors in healthcare organisations facing increasingly complex demands and limited resources. Effective teamwork is essential to deliver high-quality care, requiring integrating different professionals in the healthcare sector. Leaders play a significant role in facilitating teamwork by managing conflicts and promoting cooperation among team members. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the importance of leadership in supporting the mental health and well-being of team members. Methods: A cross-lagged research design was used to examine the relationship between mental health-specific (MHS) leadership and teamwork. Participants were 118 healthcare professionals (76.3% female;44.9% aged between 45 and 54 years old). Results: A serial mediation model was confirmed, showing an indirect effect of mental health leadership on teamwork through interpersonal conflict and cooperation. Conclusions: Effective (MHS) leadership can positively impact the teamwork of healthcare professionals, particularly during times of crisis.

A Time Series Forecast of COVID-19 Infections, Recoveries and Fatalities in Nigeria

The study investigated COVID-19 pandemic infections, recoveries, and fatalities in Nigeria to forecast future values of infections, recoveries, and fatalities and thus ascertain the extent to which the pandemic appeared to be converging with time. The prediction of COVID-19 infections, recoveries, and fatalities was necessitated by the impact that the pandemic had exerted in world economies since its outbreak in late 2019. The quantitative method was employed, and a longitudinal research design was applied. Data were obtained from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The least-squares test and autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) tests were performed to forecast infections, recoveries, and fatalities. The results of the predicted infections for the last five months of the year (August–December 2020) shows that the cases of infections will narrow down within the period. The need for policymakers to implement complete unlocking of the economy for speedy economic recovery was suggested, among others.

Correlations between Social Determinants of Health and Technology Access among Rural African American Alabamians

Certain populations have been excluded from the benefits of telehealth and the recent advances and widespread use of technology in health promotion due to limited technology access. Although research has identified these specific groups, none has explored these issues using the social determinants of health (SDH) framework. This exploratory study aimed 1) to investigate technology access and 2) to identify associated SDHs. A cross-sectional research design was implemented, and participants were recruited from rural Alabama (N=185). Binary logistic regressions were conducted. Only 60% of participants had technology access. People with food insecurity and health illiteracy were less likely to have internet and PC/tablet access. In addition, older age was associated with a lower likelihood of access to a smartphone. This study provided insights into SDH correlates of the digital divide, particularly among rural African Americans, and indicated that addressing affordability could be a partial solution.

Take-off, turbulence and turnaround

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explore the evolving nature of the work of cabin crew in a Scandinavian carrier in three eras, drawing on theories of gender and emotional labour.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on ethnographic data from fieldwork, interviews and documents.FindingsFrom being a feminized and temporary occupation for young, upper- and middle-class women in the 1970s, the occupation became a full-time job and with greater diversity of cabin crew. Today there are signs of the job becoming a precarious and temporary one of demanding and devalorized work in a polarized and class-divided labour market. Changing circumstances impact on the emotional labour requirement and terms and conditions at work.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation is that the research design was not initially longitudinal in the sense that the author does not have exactly the same kind of data from each era. The author has, however, been involved in this field for two decades, used multiple methods and interacted with different stakeholders and drew on a unique data material.Practical implicationsThe development in aviation is contributing to new discriminatory practices, driving employee conditions downwards and changing the job demands. This development will have practical consequences for the lives and families of cabin crew.Social implicationsThe analysis illustrates how work ‘constructs' workers and contributes in creating jobs that are not sustainable for the employees. Intensification of work, insecurity and tougher working conditions also challenge key features in the Nordic model such as proper pay, decent work and a life-long employment. Much indicates that the profession is again becoming a temporary one of demanding work with poor working conditions in a polarized and class-divided labour market.Originality/valueThe research contributes to the literature on emotional labour, gender and the evolving nature of the work of cabin crew. The unique data material, the longitudinal aspect of the research and the focus on a single network carrier are good in charting changes over time.

Dialog chatbot as an interactive online tool in enhancing ESP vocabulary learning

PurposeBased on an experimental study on English for Specific Purposes (ESP) students, at the Business Department at the University of Bisha, the purpose of the study is to examine the effect of chatbot use on learning ESP in online classrooms during COVID-19 and find out how Dialogflow chabot can be a useful and interactive online platform to help ESP learners in learning vocabulary well.Design/methodology/approachThe research paper is based on an experimental study of two groups, an experiential group and a controlled group. Two tests were carried out. Pre-tests and post-test of vocabulary knowledge were conducted for both groups to explore the usefulness of using the Dialogflow chatbot in learning ESP vocabulary. A designed chatbot content was prepared and included all the vocabulary details related to words' synonyms and a brief explanation of words' meanings. An informal interview is another tool used in the study. The purpose of using the interview with the participants was to elicit more data from the participants about using the chatbot and about how and in what aspects chatbot using the conversational program was useful and productive.FindingsThe findings of the study explored that the use of chatbots plays a major role in enhancing and learning ESP vocabulary. That was clear as the results showed that the students who used the chatbot Dialogflow in the experimental group outperformed their counterparts in the control group.Research limitations/implicationsThe study displays an important pedagogical implication as the use of chatbots could be applied in several settings to improve language learning in general or learning ESP courses in particular. Chatbot creates an interesting environment to foster build good interactions where negotiation of meaning takes place clearly seems to be of great benefit to help learners advance in their L2 lexical development.Originality/valueExamining and exploring whether the use of chatbots plays a major role in enhancing and learning ESP vocabulary in English as Foreign Language setting.

Experiences of Female-headed Households in the ADRA Cash Transfer Programme in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe

The social, economic, and political crises in Zimbabwe have resulted in extreme poverty and the female-headed families are no exception. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated poverty and food insecurity in rural households. This sudden shock was not anticipated, and many governments failed to sustain livelihoods for smallholder farmers who relied solely on farming activities and selling of farm produce. The state has failed to fulfil its basic mandate of social service provision to the most vulnerable sections of society. Consequently, the Basic Agricultural Assistance programme was introduced as a microeconomic stability tool to buffer income risks faced by the poor. The article aimed to discuss the experiences of female-headed households in the Adventist Development and Relief Agency cash transfer Programme in Nganunu Village in Zvishavane. A phenomenological research approach through an exploratory qualitative research design was used to get in-depth insights on the experiences of female-headed households. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Content thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Findings indicated that despite health, political and economic crises, the implementation of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency cash transfer was a success in bridging the gap left by the collapse of the social welfare system. The cash transfer programme empowered female-headed households to access agricultural inputs timeously. Female-headed households were capacitated to make decisions and improve food security in and to initiate social cohesion with other beneficiaries. The study recommended inter-sectoral collaborations between state and non-state actors for more effective programmes that cushion female-headed households from poverty.

NON-SCHOOL E-BEHAVIOR OF UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS STUDENTS: PANDEMIC EFFECTS AND TRENDS

Positive undergraduate student e-behavior has long been a goal of business faculty. This study was therefore conducted to empirically examine if non-school electronic behaviors, excluding social media, were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. E-behaviors included both social/communication and recreational activities. Specifically, data collected during the three years prior to the pandemic were compared to data collected during the pandemic years of 2020-2021. Findings demonstrate with respect to seven of the nine behaviors examined, participation percent and participation minutes increased during the five-year study time frame and, in particular, increased greatly after the start of the pandemic. Further analysis found correlations between the usage minutes of various activities and variables such as gender, academic class, and study year.

The Evolution of Science Education: You Don't Know? YouTube It

Teachers can increase the retention of their students' attention and lead them to be engrossed in new, different, and innovative ways using videos. In the present condition wherein, all educational institutions are implementing hybrid learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, technologies are becoming an inseparable part of students' life. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of YouTube in teaching Science Education. The researchers employed a quasi-experimental research design using 30 first-year students from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Bataan Branch as respondents. Two groups were used in the study, the control and experimental groups, from the two sections of the same program. The study found that the performance of both groups, and students' scores increased significantly from the pretest to the posttest. Moreover, the experimental group's performance increased significantly compared to the traditional group. Thus, both teaching methodologies are effective in teaching science education to students. Teachers may utilize different teaching methodologies to augment the needs of the learners regardless of the situation. The main goal of the teachers is to facilitate learning and to ensure that the learners will be able to grasp all the needed information during their academic period. © The Author(s) 2023.

Lessons learned from adapting a quantitative to an emergent mixed methods research design in Pakistan during COVID-19

This article delineates the process through which a quantitative study in the context of Pakistan was adapted into emergent mixed methods research due to COVID-19-related complexities. The in-process data collection was halted abruptly as schools were closed and lockdowns were imposed across Pakistan in the early 2020s due to COVID-19. In response, the quantitative research design was adapted to adjust the research design by adding further research questions and introducing qualitative interviews. COVID-19 increased the complexity in the research context. We argue that mixed methods offer adaptive approaches in disruptive situations which help to deal with the complexities. The paper further suggests that disruption during research occurs in various forms and adaptive procedures should be described as part of the research rather than ignoring them. This article provides a practical example for researchers on using adaptive approaches to mixed methods in a developing country context where the possibilities of disruptions are more rampant.

Estimates of excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic strongly depend on subjective methodological choices.

Excess mortality is often used to assess the health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It involves comparing the number of deaths observed during the pandemic with the number of deaths that would counterfactually have been expected in the absence of the pandemic. However, published data on excess mortality often vary even for the same country. The reason for these discrepancies is that the estimation of excess mortality involves a number of subjective methodological choices. The aim of this paper was to summarize these subjective choices. In several publications, excess mortality was overestimated because population aging was not adjusted for. Another important reason for different estimates of excess mortality is the choice of different pre-pandemic reference periods that are used to estimate the expected number of deaths (e.g., only 2019 or 2015-2019). Other reasons for divergent results include different choices of index periods (e.g., 2020 or 2020-2021), different modeling to determine expected mortality rates (e.g., averaging mortality rates from previous years or using linear trends), the issue of accounting for irregular risk factors such as heat waves and seasonal influenza, and differences in the quality of the data used. We suggest that future studies present the results not only for a single set of analytic choices, but also for sets with different analytic choices, so that the dependence of the results on these choices becomes explicit.