The qualitative orientation in medical education research

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Elimination of Bias in Introspection: Methodological Advances, Refinements, and Recommendations

Building on past constructive criticism, the present study provides further methodological development focused on the elimination of bias that may occur during first-person observation. First, various sources of errors that may accompany introspection are distinguished based on previous critical literature. Four main errors are classified, namely attentional, attributional, conceptual, and expressional error. Furthermore, methodological recommendations for the possible elimination of these errors have been determined based on the analysis and focused excerpting of introspective scientific literature. The following groups of methodological recommendations were determined: 1) a better focusing of the subject’s attention to their mental processes, 2) providing suitable stimuli, and 3) the sharing of introspective experience between subjects. Furthermore, the potential of adjustments in introspective research designs for eliminating attentional, attributional, conceptual, and expressional error is discussed

Fundamental concepts in management research and ensuring research quality : focusing on case study method

This paper discusses fundamental concepts in management research and ensuring research quality. It was presented at the European Academy of Management annual conference in 2008

Information behaviour in design

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Designers draw on a significant volume and range of information throughout the design process. This could include information on people, materials, markets, processes, etc. However, not all this information is effectively communicated to and used by designers. In order to provide designers with information that is useful, useable and engaging for them, it is important to understand why designers use information, what information they use and when and how they use it. This will be collectively referred to as ‘information behaviour’ in this thesis. There is currently a lack of a holistic understanding of designers’ information behaviour. Through developing a framework for investigation, analysis and reflection on designers’ use and requirements of information, this research aims to provide a better understanding of information behaviour in design, leading to a systematic way to address the key dimensions of information used in a design process. For this purpose, the research focuses on ‘practicing designers’ as key users of information in the real-world practice of design and ‘people information’ as a major type of information used during the design process. An initial framework for addressing key dimensions of information used in the design process is outlined through the analysis and synthesis of relevant literature. The framework is then evaluated and refined through four complementary studies: an interview and questionnaire administered to nine design companies; observation of a design team in a real-world design project; observation of three teams through a design competition; and a survey of designers and design researchers. The outcomes of the studies lead to a refined version of the information framework that includes seven key dimensions and details designers’ behaviour in regard to ‘purpose’, ‘source’, ‘format’, ‘type’, ‘at tributes’, ‘stage’ and ‘intensity’ of people information they use. The research conducted with designers leads to an enhanced understanding of their information behaviour with respect to the seven key dimensions. A new information framework has been created and evaluated; and it is argued that it can be used as a research and education tool to investigate and analyse information used during core stages of a design process. The framework can also assist developers of information tools to make informed decisions on what, how and when to communicate information to designers, ensuring that this information is delivered in a way which has maximum impact on the design process

Development of a new intervention (VOLITION): To facilitate the inVolvement of OLder people living with multiple long-term condITions in decisION-making about their healthcare during general practice consultations

Introduction The population is ageing and two thirds of older people in the UK have multiple long-term health problems. These patients consult with GPs frequently. They live with a burden of illness and treatments, poor quality of life and associated healthcare costs. Ensuring high-quality personalised care for these patients is challenging. Potential benefits of shared decision-making (SDM) have been acknowledged. However, there are few existing interventions designed with the aim of facilitating SDM in this field. Aim The aim of VOLITION is to facilitate the involvement of older people living with multiple long-term conditions in decision-making about their healthcare during UK general practice consultations. Methods An Intervention Mapping (IM) framework was adopted as a means of systematically applying existing literature, new data and relevant theory in the development, refinement and planning for the evaluation of VOLITION. Patient and public involvement was central and expert stakeholder opinion was obtained. A Cochrane review of similar interventions was published, and VOLITION components were subsequently drafted. Focus groups with patients and GPs enabled the refinement of behaviour-change objectives. A mixed-methods exploratory-explanatory study informed plans to implement VOLITION in the context of remote vs. face-to-face consultations. Findings VOLITION consists of i) a prompt to patients, inviting them to express their personal preferences for involvement and ii) training for GPs, delivering a responsive patient-tailored approach to SDM, tackling challenges experienced by GPs when implementing SDM in practice. Discussion This project addresses recommendations from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, for SDM research targeting patient groups who often believe in the decisional authority of the health care practitioner. VOLITION adheres to NHS England’s universal personalised care plan, to empower patients in the management of their healthcare and to train health care practitioners in SDM. Conclusion A full, definitive trial of VOLITION is planned. An effective intervention, designed using end-user perspectives, has the potential to influence high-quality patient-centred care for older people living with MLTC.National Institute for Health Research (NIHR

Use of the STAR PROCESS for Children with Sensory Processing Challenges

Background: This study examined the effectiveness of the STAR PROCESS, an intensive, short-term intervention that combines principles of sensory integration, relationship-based therapy, and parental-therapist collaboration for children with sensory processing challenges. Method: A nonconcurrent multiple baseline, repeated measures design was used. Four boys, aged 5 years 0 months to 7 years 9 months, participated in this study. The mean length of intervention was 22 sessions delivered 3 to 5 times per week. A behavioral coding system was used to measure change in four areas: play level, positive affect, joint attention, and novel use of equipment. The theory of change reflects the use of multisensory experiences in combination with parent participation to impact outcomes. Results: Improvement was noted in play level in all of the participants. Multisensory experiences and parent participation were associated with these changes in two participants. Discussion: The study results suggest a feasible methodology to study occupational therapy interventions. The behavioral coding system was sensitive to change. Play abilities changed in all four children. Preliminary support was provided for the theory of change combining multisensory experiences with parent participation. Conclusion: A targeted treatment approach that emphasizes parents as play partners in a multisensory environment shows promise in remediating these deficits