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New Michigan Mixed Methods Program: The University of Michigan Department of Family Medicine takes a leading role in this exciting and innovative research paradigm
Led by mixed methods experts, Michael D. Fetters, M.D., M.P.H., M.A., professor, Timothy C. Guetterman, Ph.D., M.A., assistant professor and John W. Creswell, Ph.D., adjunct professor, the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan launched the Michigan Mixed Methods Program (MMP). The MMP brings together scholars at the University of Michigan with national and international experts in mixed methods. According to the program's senior research scientist, Dr. Creswell, “We have the largest team of specialists in mixed methods ever assembled in the world at Michigan.” Current MMP members include faculty from U-M Medical School’s Departments of Family Medicine, Surgery, Urology, and Learning Health Sciences; U-M’s Schools of Education, Nursing, Social Work and Public Health; U-M’s Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation; U-M’s Department of Mathematics and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
MMP’s three missions are to provide:
“At the MMP, we are very excited to be developing the latest approaches and innovations in mixed methods research, as well as bringing those innovations to the Department, the broader U-M community, and many other scholars from across the country and around the world,” said Dr. Fetters.
Mixed methods research emerged as a third research paradigm along with quantitative and qualitative methods in the social, behavioral and health sciences. It uniquely integrates quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a comprehensive understanding of clinical and educational issues, along with other real-life problems.
“Mixed methods research is a powerful tool that leverages the strength of quantitative research and qualitative research and the integration of both approaches,” added Dr. Fetters. “Because of its powerful potential, interest in mixed methods research has increased dramatically.”
The National Institutes for Health (NIH) increasingly views mixed methods proposals as cutting edge. The recent release of the NIH Mixed Methods Research Best Practices recommendations in August 2011 generated more than 19,000 hits in the first three weeks it was released (https://obssr.od.nih.gov/mixed_methods_research/ (link is external)). The working group behind these recommendations was co-led by Dr. Creswell. Empirical mixed methods studies can be found in journals of multiple disciplines.
The Veterans Health Administration has long required mixed methods designs for studies on implementation of evidence-based interventions, and has accelerated hiring of qualitative and mixed methods experts. Recently, medical educators have embraced the power of mixed methods research for assessing and improving their teaching programs.
Since its launch in December 2015, program faculty have consulted on a number of projects inside and outside of the University, and continue to receive inquiries and requests for consulting service. Requests for workshops and lectures are also common. Some of the workshops to be conducted this year will be held in Denmark, Ireland, Japan and Thailand. The MMP's Co-Director, Timothy Guetterman, Ph.D., assistant professor, is currently designing a mixed methods course that will be the first of its kind at the University of Michigan.
The program holds regular, interactive workshops throughout the year. For more information, click here
Led by mixed methods experts, Michael D. Fetters, M.D., M.P.H., M.A., professor, Timothy C. Guetterman, Ph.D., M.A., assistant professor and John W. Creswell, Ph.D., adjunct professor, the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan launched the Michigan Mixed Methods Program (MMP). The MMP brings together scholars at the University of Michigan with national and international experts in mixed methods. According to the program's senior research scientist, Dr. Creswell, “We have the largest team of specialists in mixed methods ever assembled in the world at Michigan.” Current MMP members include faculty from U-M Medical School’s Departments of Family Medicine, Surgery, Urology, and Learning Health Sciences; U-M’s Schools of Education, Nursing, Social Work and Public Health; U-M’s Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation; U-M’s Department of Mathematics and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
MMP’s three missions are to provide:
- Consultation to Department faculty including researchers and educators seeking to use cutting-edge mixed methods research and evaluation.
- Training in mixed methods research through three yearly mixed methods research design and evaluation workshops.
- Mixed methods research and evaluation methodology consultations to national and international scholars.
“At the MMP, we are very excited to be developing the latest approaches and innovations in mixed methods research, as well as bringing those innovations to the Department, the broader U-M community, and many other scholars from across the country and around the world,” said Dr. Fetters.
Mixed methods research emerged as a third research paradigm along with quantitative and qualitative methods in the social, behavioral and health sciences. It uniquely integrates quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a comprehensive understanding of clinical and educational issues, along with other real-life problems.
“Mixed methods research is a powerful tool that leverages the strength of quantitative research and qualitative research and the integration of both approaches,” added Dr. Fetters. “Because of its powerful potential, interest in mixed methods research has increased dramatically.”
The National Institutes for Health (NIH) increasingly views mixed methods proposals as cutting edge. The recent release of the NIH Mixed Methods Research Best Practices recommendations in August 2011 generated more than 19,000 hits in the first three weeks it was released (https://obssr.od.nih.gov/mixed_methods_research/ (link is external)). The working group behind these recommendations was co-led by Dr. Creswell. Empirical mixed methods studies can be found in journals of multiple disciplines.
The Veterans Health Administration has long required mixed methods designs for studies on implementation of evidence-based interventions, and has accelerated hiring of qualitative and mixed methods experts. Recently, medical educators have embraced the power of mixed methods research for assessing and improving their teaching programs.
Since its launch in December 2015, program faculty have consulted on a number of projects inside and outside of the University, and continue to receive inquiries and requests for consulting service. Requests for workshops and lectures are also common. Some of the workshops to be conducted this year will be held in Denmark, Ireland, Japan and Thailand. The MMP's Co-Director, Timothy Guetterman, Ph.D., assistant professor, is currently designing a mixed methods course that will be the first of its kind at the University of Michigan.
The program holds regular, interactive workshops throughout the year. For more information, click here