Erica Cook

What is mixed methods research? 

Mixed methods research methodology looks at how we can combine quantitative and qualitative data to help answer a research question. This can include different types of data, including questionnaires, secondary data and interviews, focus groups and unstructured observations. It is about bringing different types of evidence together to help make meaningful conclusions, often used in the behavioural, health, and social sciences, especially in multidisciplinary settings and complex situational or societal research. 

How have you supported queries through your role with us? 

There are different research designs in mixed methods, I have been involved in a lot of process evaluations, which we often see in bid applications, which seek to understand how contextual factors can impact the delivery and effectiveness of an intervention. For example, if we wanted to understand the reach and accessibility of an intervention, we might look at uptake data although we might also do interviews with those who did and did not take part to understand barriers to engagement. I also give advice around how to develop a logic model for the purposes of submitting a bid application, a pre-requirement of the Public Health Research (PHR) funding stream. Logic models are a graphic illustration of the relationship between a program's resources, activities, and its intended effects. Logic models clearly and concisely show how interventions affect behaviour and achieve a goal, which is why you need to understand how x fits with y. So, what is it you’re trying to change and what are the components that you are hoping will make the change.   

What have the queries been? 

Most of the queries I get relate to Public Health Research (PHR) commissioned calls, and people wanting to know if their intervention is in scope for the call. I give advice on research design, intervention design and the research team needed, as well as logic models that they may be less familiar with and to get them thinking about what NIHR want as a funder. I use my knowledge to check what they are doing meets what the funder wants.  

I speak to people with a wide variety of research experience, and everyone I speak to needs different levels of support. As part of the methodologist team, I am also asked to peer review applications which is something I really enjoy.  

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