Mixed Methods Analysis and Information Visualization: Graphical Display for Effective Communication of Research Results

In this paper, we introduce various graphical methods that can be used to represent data in mixed research. First, we present a broad taxonomy of visual representation. Next, we use this taxonomy to provide an overview of visual techniques for quantitative data display and qualitative data display. Then, we propose what we call “crossover” visual extensions to summarize and integrate both qualitative and quantitative results within the same framework. We provide several examples of crossover (mixed research) graphical displays that illustrate this natural extension. In so doing, we contend that the use of crossover (mixed research) graphical displays enhances researchers’ understanding (i.e., increased Verstehen) of social and behavioral phenomena in general and the meaning that underlies these phenomena in particular

A large scale hearing loss screen reveals an extensive unexplored genetic landscape for auditory dysfunction

The developmental and physiological complexity of the auditory system is likely reflected in the underlying set of genes involved in auditory function. In humans, over 150 non-syndromic loci have been identified, and there are more than 400 human genetic syndromes with a hearing loss component. Over 100 non-syndromic hearing loss genes have been identified in mouse and human, but we remain ignorant of the full extent of the genetic landscape involved in auditory dysfunction. As part of the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium, we undertook a hearing loss screen in a cohort of 3006 mouse knockout strains. In total, we identify 67 candidate hearing loss genes. We detect known hearing loss genes, but the vast majority, 52, of the candidate genes were novel. Our analysis reveals a large and unexplored genetic landscape involved with auditory function

Assessment of social psychological determinants of satisfaction with childbirth in a cross-national perspective

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The fulfilment of expectations, labour pain, personal control and self-efficacy determine the postpartum evaluation of birth. However, researchers have seldom considered the multiple determinants in one analysis. To explore to what extent the results can be generalised between countries, we analyse data of Belgian and Dutch women. Although Belgium and the Netherlands share the same language, geography and political system and have a common history, their health care systems diverge. The Belgian maternity care system corresponds to the ideal type of the medical model, whereas the Dutch system approaches the midwifery model. In this paper we examine multiple determinants, the fulfilment of expectations, labour pain, personal control and self-efficacy, for their association with satisfaction with childbirth in a cross-national perspective.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two questionnaires were filled out by 605 women, one at 30 weeks of pregnancy and one within the first 2 weeks after childbirth either at home or in a hospital. Of these, 560 questionnaires were usable for analysis. Women were invited to participate in the study by independent midwives and obstetricians during antenatal visits in 2004–2005. Satisfaction with childbirth was measured by the Mackey Satisfaction with Childbirth Rating Scale, which takes into account the multidimensional nature of the concept. Labour pain was rated retrospectively using Visual Analogue Scales. Personal control was assessed with the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire and Pearlin and Schooler's mastery scale. A hierarchical linear analysis was performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Satisfaction with childbirth benefited most consistently from the fulfilment of expectations. In addition, the experience of personal control buffered the lowering impact of labour pain. Women with high self-efficacy showed more satisfaction with self-, midwife- and physician-related aspects of the birth experience.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings focus the attention toward personal control, self-efficacy and expectations about childbirth. This study confirms the multidimensionality of childbirth satisfaction and demonstrates that different factors predict the various dimensions of satisfaction. The model applies to both Belgian and Dutch women. Cross-national comparative research should further assess the dependence of the determinants of childbirth satisfaction on the organisation of maternity care.</p

Un marco cualitativo para la recolección y análisis de datos en la investigación basada en grupos focales

Despite the abundance of published material on conducting focus groups, scant specific information exists on how to analyze focus group data in social science research. Thus, the authors provide a new qualitative framework for collecting and analyzing focus group data. First, they identify types of data that can be collected during focus groups. Second, they identify the qualitative data analysis techniques best suited for analyzing these data. Third, they introduce what they term as a micro-interlocutor analysis, wherein meticulous information about which participant responds to each question, the order in which each participant responds, response characteristics, the nonverbal communication used, and the like is collected, analyzed, and interpreted. They conceptualize how conversation analysis offers great potential for analyzing focus group data. They believe that their framework goes far beyond analyzing only the verbal communication of focus group participants, thereby increasing the rigor of focus group analyses in social science research.Apesar da grande quantidade de material publicado sobre a realização dos grupos focais, existe pouca informação na pesquisa das ciências sociais sobre como analisar os dados que estes geram. Portanto, os autores oferecem um novo marco qualitativo para a coleta e análise dos dados obtidos dos grupos focais. Primeiro, identificam os tipos de dados que podem ser coletados durante um grupo focal. Segundo, identificam as técnicas de análise de dados qualitativos que mais se ajustam à análise deste tipo específico de dados. Terceiro, introduzem o que chamam de micro análise do interlocutor, onde se coleta, analisa e interpreta informação meticulosa sobre questões tais como qual participante responde a cada pergunta, a ordem em que responde cada participante, as características das respostas, o tipo de comunicação não verbal que utiliza e outras coisas similares. Por outra parte, os autores teorizam sobre a análise da conversação, a qual tem um grande potencial para a análise dos dados em grupos focais. Para eles, seu marco vai muito além da mera análise da comunicação verbal dos integrantes do grupo focal, aumentando dessa forma o rigor das análises dos grupos focais na pesquisa das ciências sociais.A pesar de la gran cantidad de material publicado sobre la realización de grupos focales, existe poca información en la investigación de las ciencias sociales sobre cómo analizar los datos que estos generan. Por lo tanto, los autores ofrecen un nuevo marco cualitativo para la recolección y análisis de los datos obtenidos de los grupos focales. Primero, identifican los tipos de datos que pueden ser recolectados durante un grupo focal. Segundo, identifican las técnicas de análisis de datos cualitativos que más se ajustan al análisis de este tipo específico de datos. Tercero, introducen lo que llaman microanálisis del interlocutor, en donde se recolecta, analiza e interpreta información meticulosa sobre cuestiones tales como: cuál participante responde a cada pregunta, el orden en que responde cada uno de ellos, las características de las respuestas, el tipo de comunicación no verbal que utilizan y otras cosas similares. Por otra parte, los autores conceptualizan acerca del análisis de la conversación, el cual tiene un gran potencial para el análisis de los datos en grupos focales. Para ellos, su marco va mucho más allá del mero análisis de la comunicación verbal de los integrantes del grupo, aumentando de esa manera el rigor de los análisis de los grupos focales en la investigación de las ciencias sociales

A Qualitative Framework for Collecting and Analyzing Data in Focus Group Research

Despite the abundance of published material on conducting focus groups, scant specific information exists on how to analyze focus group data in social science research. Thus, the authors provide a new qualitative framework for collecting and analyzing focus group data. First, they identify types of data that can be collected during focus groups. Second, they identify the qualitative data analysis techniques best suited for analyzing these data. Third, they introduce what they term as a micro-interlocutor analysis, wherein meticulous information about which participant responds to each question, the order in which each participant responds, response characteristics, the nonverbal communication used, and the like is collected, analyzed, and interpreted. They conceptualize how conversation analysis offers great potential for analyzing focus group data. They believe that their framework goes far beyond analyzing only the verbal communication of focus group participants, thereby increasing the rigor of focus group analyses in social science research