Developing Theory From Complexity: Reflections on a Collaborative Mixed Method Participatory Action Research Study

@article{citeulike:2682334, abstract = {Research studies are increasingly complex: They draw on multiple methods to gather data, generate both qualitative and quantitative data, and frequently represent the perspectives of more than one stakeholder. The teams that generate them are increasingly multidisciplinary. A commitment to engaging community members in the research process often adds a further layer of complexity. How to approach a synthesizing analysis of these multiple and varied data sources with a large research team requires considerable reflection and dialogue. In this article, we outline the strategies used by one multidisciplinary team committed to a participatory action research (PAR) approach and engaged in a mixed method program of research to synthesize the findings from four subprojects into a conceptual framework that could guide practice in community mental health organizations. We also summarize factors that hold promise for increasing productivity when managing complex research projects. 10.1177/1049732308316531}, author = {Westhues, Anne and Ochocka, Joanna and Jacobson, Nora and Simich, Laura and Maiter, Sarah and Janzen, Rich and Fleras, Augie }, citeulike-article-id = {2682334}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1049732308316531}, journal = {Qual Health Res}, keywords = {action-research, methodology, mixed-method, multi-discipline, participatory}, month = {May}, number = {5}, pages = {701--717}, posted-at = {2008-06-27 14:56:44}, priority = {2}, title = {Developing Theory From Complexity: Reflections on a Collaborative Mixed Method Participatory Action Research Study}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1049732308316531}, volume = {18}, year = {2008} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:2682334 L3 - citeulike-article-id:2682334 TI - Developing Theory From Complexity: Reflections on a Collaborative Mixed Method Participatory Action Research Study JF - Qual Health Res VL - 18 IS - 5 SP - 701 EP - 717 N2 - Research studies are increasingly complex: They draw on multiple methods to gather data, generate both qualitative and quantitative data, and frequently represent the perspectives of more than one stakeholder. The teams that generate them are increasingly multidisciplinary. A commitment to engaging community members in the research process often adds a further layer of complexity. How to approach a synthesizing analysis of these multiple and varied data sources with a large research team requires considerable reflection and dialogue. In this article, we outline the strategies used by one multidisciplinary team committed to a participatory action research (PAR) approach and engaged in a mixed method program of research to synthesize the findings from four subprojects into a conceptual framework that could guide practice in community mental health organizations. We also summarize factors that hold promise for increasing productivity when managing complex research projects. 10.1177/1049732308316531 KW - action-research KW - methodology KW - mixed-method KW - multi-discipline KW - participatory AU - Westhues, Anne AU - Ochocka, Joanna AU - Jacobson, Nora AU - Simich, Laura AU - Maiter, Sarah AU - Janzen, Rich AU - Fleras, Augie PY - 2008/05/01/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1049732308316531 ER -