Distinct Yet Synergetic Contributors to Mixed Methods Research: Intersections for MMIRA and JMMR

The formalization of the synergistic relationship between the Journal of Mixed Methods Research (JMMR) as an affiliate of the Mixed Methods International Research Association (MMIRA; http://mmira.wildapricot.org/) presents an opportune moment to highlight the past, present, and future intersections for these influential yet distinct contributors to mixed methods research (MMR). JMMR formally becoming an affiliate of MMIRA represents a natural progression in the synergistic relationship that has been enjoyed since the establishment of MMIRA in 2013. From the founding of MMIRA, an important member benefit has been online access to JMMR. In addition to the “In This Issue” section that highlights the contributions of this issue’s articles, in this editorial, we describe the affiliate relationship between MMIRA and JMMR as an illustrative example of a sustained “synergy” promoting mutually advantageous compatibility from distinct efforts. Specifically, we present past, present, and future intersections between JMMR and MMIRA in the description of MMIRA’s history, accomplishments, and strategic plan and then suggest future directions for synergies between JMMR and MMIRA

Advancing discussion of ethics in mixed methods health services research

Abstract Background To describe the ethical issues and experiences of scientists conducting mixed methods health services research and to advance empirical and conceptual discussion on ethical integrity in mixed methods health research. Methods The study was conducted with 64 scholars, faculty and consultants from the NIH-funded Mixed Methods Research Training Program (MMRTP) for the Health Sciences. This was a cross-sectional study. Survey results were analyzed using descriptive statistics to characterize responses and open coding to summarize strategies about eight ethical mixed methods research issues. Respondents completed an online survey to elicit experiences related to eight ethical issues (informed consent, confidentiality, data management, burden, safety, equitable recruitment, communication, and dissemination) and strategies for addressing them. Results Only about one-third of respondents thought their research ethics training helped them plan, conduct, or report mixed methods research. The most frequently occurring ethical issues were participant burden, dissemination and equitable recruitment (> 70% endorsement). Despite occurring frequently, < 50% of respondents rated each ethical issue as challenging. The most challenging ethical issues were related to managing participant burden, communication, and dissemination. Strategies reported to address ethical issues were largely not specific or unique to mixed methods with the exception of strategies to mitigate participant burden and, to a lesser degree, to facilitate equitable recruitment and promote dissemination of project results. Conclusions Mixed methods health researchers reported encountering ethical issues often yet varying levels of difficulty and effectiveness in the strategies used to mitigate ethical issues. This study highlights some of the unique challenges faced by mixed methods researchers to plan for and appropriately respond to arising ethical issues such as managing participant burden and confidentiality across data sources and utilizing effective communication and dissemination strategies particularly when working with a multidisciplinary research team. As one of the first empirical studies to examine mixed methods research ethics, our findings highlight the need for greater attention to ethics in health services mixed methods research and training

Sexual and reproductive health literacy, misoprostol knowledge and use of medication abortion in Lagos State, Nigeria: a mixed methods study

Little is known about the link between health literacy and women's ability to safely and successfully use misoprostol to self-induce an abortion. While abortion is only allowed to save a woman's life in Nigeria, misoprostol is widely available from drug sellers. We interviewed 394 women in 2018 in Lagos State, Nigeria, who induced abortion using misoprostol obtained from a drug seller to determine their sexual and reproductive health literacy (SRHL) and misoprostol knowledge levels; and how these were associated with ending the pregnancy successfully or seeking care for (perceived) complications. Our results show that women's misoprostol knowledge (measured both quantitatively and qualitatively) was low, but that almost all women were nevertheless able to use the drug effectively and safely. Higher SRHL was associated with being more likely to end the pregnancy successfully and also seeking postabortion health care. Our study is the first to examine this association and adds to the scarce literature examining the relationship between health literacy and self-use of misoprostol to induce abortions in restrictive settings.</p