Usability and application of a data integration technique (following the thread) for multi- and mixed methods research: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The scope of methodological development and innovation in multi- and mixed methods design is endless and, at times, challenging. The latter is especially true with regards to the integration of data generated through different methods. About a decade ago, Professor Jo Moran-Ellis and her colleagues at the University of Sussex suggested a framework for analytical integration known as "following a thread." Despite an increased focus within health services research on different perspectives and approaches to successful data integration, the framework's usability and application have not yet been well described. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aims to integrate and synthesise published accounts of the framework and its applications. DESIGN AND DATA SOURCES: Seven electronic databases were utilised. Included were peer-reviewed scientific papers published in English from 2006 - 2018. The authors independently screened eligible publications by title and abstract. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included in our systematic review. One notable finding is that in almost half of the cases (n = 6), the framework had been applied as an analytical integration framework in single studies using multiple qualitative methods. Overall, the descriptions and accounts of the framework were sparse and lacked transparency. Accounts of the analytical integration framework could be said to fall within three overarching areas: (1) applications of the framework, (2) justifications for analytical integration, and (3) benefits and shortfalls of the framework. CONCLUSION: Data integration is often one of the major method steps in multi- and mixed methods designs. To further the future development of methodologically sound frameworks for analytical integration, it is essential that they are sufficiently described so as to ensure validation of the framework's usability and replicability. "Following a thread" appears to be an promising analytical integration framework, particularly in that it can be applied with the same datatypes as well as between different types of data.

Trends in nursing research in France: a cross-sectional analysis.

AIM: To examine the engagement of French registered nurses with the Ministry of Health's initiative to spur scientific inquiry in the community. BACKGROUND: French nursing research has suffered from a lack of dedicated funding. Positive signs of change have recently appeared, with the launch of the first national public funding programme dedicated to nursing research. This initiative, begun in 2010, was launched by the French Ministry of Health. Through this initiative, 149 registered nurses, serving as principal investigators, and their teams submitted research proposals between 2010 and 2011. The administrative guidelines of the funding programme are clearly oriented towards producing quantitative and exogenous nursing research. METHOD: A cross-sectional analysis of 149 nursing research projects submitted during the first and second years of a French national funding programme for hospital-based nursing research was conducted. Research proposals were included in the analysis whether they received funding or not. Data collection took place in 2011. The categories used in the analysis were the following: (1) the socio-demographic data on the registered nurse principal investigators, (2) the research teams and (3) the research proposals (methodologies, bibliography, focus of the research, output, the status of the research proposals). RESULTS: This study highlights the presence of methodological homogeneity among the research proposals submitted for funding. Clear tendencies were towards interventional and quantitative studies and those with an exogenous factor research objective. Between 2010 and 2011, 25 projects were funded out of 149 submitted. They were mostly quantitative and/or focused on the exogenous factors in patient care. CONCLUSION: The socio-political context of a funding programme designed to encourage nursing research has had an implicit influence on the type of research to which French nurses have committed themselves to and the scientific positions with which these nurse researchers align themselves.