Methodological research in the MCRU
Projects
We often see opportunities to develop methodology or help other researchers to do so. We have expertise in mixed methods research and randomised controlled trials.
Current projects
The QUART Study: Maximising the value of qualitative research in trials. MRC Methodology Programme. £250,000. Professor Alicia O´Cathain (PI).
Validating generic preference based measures of health in mental health populations. MRC Methodology Programme. £225,000. Professor John Brazier (PI), Professor Alicia O´Cathain (co-applicant).
Development of Risk Adjustment Methods to Evaluate Systems of Emergency Medical Care. MRC £951,000. Professor Steve Goodacre (PI), Professor Jon Nicholl (co-applicant).
Past projects
Developing mixed methodology in health services research. MRC 2002-2006. £216,000. Fellowship. Alicia O´Cathain.
Publications
Relton C, Torgerson D, O´Cathain A, Nicholl J. Rethinking pragmatic RCTs: introducing the `cohort multiple RCT´ design. BMJ in press.
Nicholl JP. Case-mix adjustment in non-randomised observational evaluations - the constant risk fallacy. Journal of Epi Comm Health. 2007; 61: 1010-1013.
O´Cathain A, Nicholl J, Murphy E., Structural issues affecting mixed methods studies in health research: a qualitative study. BMC Med Res Method 2009,9:82.
O´Cathain A. Mixed methods research in the health sciences. A quiet revolution. Journal of Mixed Methods Research 2009;3:3-6.
Collins KMT, O´Cathain A. Ten points about mixed methods research to be considered by the novice researcher. Introduction. International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches 2009;3:2-7.
O´Cathain A, Murphy E, Nicholl JP. Dysfunctional, multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary? Team working in mixed methods research. Qualitative Health Research 2008;18:1574-85.
O´Cathain A, Murphy E, Nicholl JP. The quality of mixed methods studies in health services research. Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, 2008;13:92-98. DOI:10.1258/jsrp.2007.007074
O´Cathain A, Murphy E, Nicholl JP. Why, and how, mixed methods research is undertaken in health services research: a mixed methods study. BMC Health Services Research 2007; 7:85.
O´Cathain A, Murphy E, Nicholl JP. Integration and publications as indicators of `yield´ from mixed methods studies. Journal of Mixed Methods Research 2007; 1(2): 147-163
O´Cathain A, Thomas KJ. "Any other comments?" Open questions on questionnaires – a bane or a bonus to research? BMC Medical Research Methodology 2004,4:25
O´Cathain A. Assessing the quality of mixed methods research: toward a comprehensive framework. In Tashakkori & Teddlie (eds). Handbook of Mixed Methods Research, Second Edition, forthcoming 2010.
O´Cathain A. Mixed methods involving qualitative research. In Bourgeault I, DeVries R, Dingwall R (eds). Handbook of Qualitative Health Research. Sage Publications, forthcoming 2010.
O´Cathain A. Reporting results. In Andrew S, Halcomb E (eds). Mixed Methods Research for Nursing and the Health Sciences. Blackwell Publishing, 2009, pp135-158.
O´Cathain A, Thomas KT. Combining qualitative and quantitative methods. In Pope C, Mays N (eds). Qualitative Research in Health Care. Blackwell Publishing Ltd: Oxford, 2006, Third Edition, pp102-111.
O´Cathain A, Shackley P. Using conjoint analysis and willingness to pay to determine consumers´ preferences for health care. In Burr J and Nicolson P (eds). Researching health care consumers. Critical approaches. Palgrave Macmillan, 2005, pp 71-93.
National commissioning bodies
Professor Jon Nicholl was appointed Chair of the HTA Commissioning Board in 2005 and was Chair of the HTA Clinical Trials Board until 2010. He has also served as Deputy Chair of the Medical Research Council's Clinical Trials Board.
Professor Alicia O´Cathain is a member of the MRC Methodology Fellowship panel 2010-2014 and qualitative research expert on a sub-panel of the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) £2m Applied Programme Grants Committee.
International profile
Professor Alicia O´Cathain is Associate Editor of the Journal of Mixed Methods Research, editorial board member of the International Journal of Multiple Research approaches, and helps to organise the Annual Mixed Methods conference run by the University of Leeds (in Baltimore in 2010).
PhD supervision
Dr Clare Relton obtained her PhD on `The cohort multiple RCT design´ in 2009 under the supervision of Professor Jon Nicholl and Professor Alicia O´Cathain.
We welcome applications for PhD supervision on the methods of health services research.
Teaching
Professor Alicia O´Cathain recently developed a Masters module on randomised controlled trials in health and social care. Professor Jon Nicholl teaches on this module.