Data Analysis, Workplan and Budget

Data Analysis, Workplan and Budget

Introduction

In the first three units of this module we tackled Stages 1-4 in developing a protocol. This final unit focuses on the last three Stages 5-7, highlighted below. You begin by summarising what you have learnt about study design and data collection methods and applying this to your research protocol. You then look at ways of analysing the quantitative and qualitative data that has been captured. The next step is an outline of what needs to be included in a budget and workplan. Finally, you go through the process of writing up your protocol assignment for this module.

Study sessions

There are three Study Sessions in Unit 4

Study Session 1:Planning for Data Collection

Study Session 2:Analysing Quantitative Data

Study Session 3:Analysing Qualitative Data

Study Session 4:Producing a Workplan and Budget

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Describe the uses, merits and limitations of various data collection methods and techniques.
• Describe how quantitative and qualitative methods can be combined in studies.
• Match data collection methods and techniques with research questions.
• Draw up a plan for data collection.
• Compile summary statistics of one-way and two-way tables.
• Analyse quantitative data.
• Describe analyse, code and interpret qualitative data.
• Draw up a workplan
• Draw up a budget framework.

• Read with a purpose and identify key ideas.
• Compare information.
• Analyse and classify information.
• Synthesise information and present it in different ways.
• Draw graphs and tables.
• Interpret information and draw conclusions.

Unit 4 - Session 1

Planning for Data Collection

Introduction

This study session tackles the next element in the ‘research methodology’ stage in developing a protocol: plan for data collection. You learn how to select the most suitable data collection design/method/techniques to use for collecting different sorts of data. This information comprises your plan for data collection, to be included in the assignment protocol.

4.Research Methodology

• Plan for data collection

Contents

1.Learning Outcomes of this Session

2.Readings

3.Assess Data Collection Methods

4.Choose Study Designs and Data Collection Techniques

5.Make a Plan for Data Collection

6.Summary

1LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THIS SESSION

• Identify the advantages and disadvantages of using different data collection methods.
• Describe how quantitative and qualitative methods can be usefully combined in studies.
• Match data collection methods and techniques with research questions.
• Formulate a plan for data collection.

• Read with a purpose and identify key ideas.
• Classify ideas.
• Compare information.
• Use tables to summarise ideas.

2READINGS

Publication details

3ASSESS DATA COLLECTION METHODS

Because health systems are quite complex, the research questions that are addressed by Health Systems Research usually require a combination of qualitative and quantitative research. It is therefore important for Health Systems Researchers to be aware of the uses of these different methods and to appreciate how they can be combined to help answer a research question. This is the focus of this section.

TASK 1 – Identify data collection methods/techniques used in research

READING: Murphy, B., Ruth, D. & Murray Hodge, M.(May 1998). The Use of Qualitative Research in the Development of the ‘Heartwise’ Program for General Practitioners. The Medical Journal of Australia, 158: 626 - 628.

1. Indicate below whether qualitative or quantitative research is used, and identify the data collection techniques used for the research tasks described in the article.

1. In this research, the combination of qualitative and quantitative research was particularly beneficial in at least two instances:

• Qualitative descriptive information provided a context for quantitative data
• Quantitative statistical information validated qualitative insights

Explain in more detail how this combination of methods helped this research in these two instances.

Feedback

1.

2.In the first instance, to determine the attitudes and beliefs of GPs towards patients, a survey questionnaire was designed, based on hypotheses generated from focus group discussions. This enabled the researchers to measure specific attitudes and behaviours. In the second instance, qualitative descriptive information was provided by focus group discussions in order to interpret the survey results. This added meaning, depth and insight into the quantitative statistical descriptions derived from the national GP survey.

In order to be in a position to choose the most appropriate technique, you need to be aware of the merits and weaknesses of each.

TASK 2 – Summarise the merits and drawbacks of different techniques

In the table below, summarise in note form the main advantages and disadvantages of the data collection techniques discussed in this unit. If necessary, refer back to previous study sessions.

• Mail survey
• Telephone

• Structured
• Unstructured
• Participant

• Structured
• Unstructured

Feedback

• Mail survey

• Telephone

• Structured

• Unstructured

• Participant

• Structured

• Unstructured

4CHOOSE STUDY DESIGNS AND DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES

This section guides you in choosing appropriate study designs and data collection techniques to suit specific studies.

TASK 3 – Match research questions, designs and techniques

For each of the following research questions or topics, write down some appropriate study designs and data collection techniques.

1. You noticed a number of women with goitre in your district. You are concerned that goitre might be a Public Health problem. Therefore you wish to find out the size of the problem. Furthermore, you would like to find out whether the population perceives goitre as a problem. Finally, you would like to identify the most important risk factors for goitre in your district.
2. A district health team evaluated its malaria-spraying program by looking at available records and reports. They did not find significant flaws in the functioning of the services in different divisions and villages. Nevertheless the incidence of malaria and mosquito counts show peeks in certain villages that are most likely related to differences in quality of the malaria spraying services. You want to find out if there is something wrong with the services.
3. You are a midwife in charge of a maternity unit in a district hospital. You suspect that the number of low birth-weight babies is increasing and you would like to know more about the physical and socio-economic conditions of the mothers, to see if remedial action can be taken. The clinic records are at present not complete enough to draw conclusions and you have neither the time nor the money to do a large community survey.
4. You have recently been appointed district nursing officer in a remote, previously underserved clinic. One of your tasks is to develop a district health plan. You want to collect information that will assist you in developing your plan.

Feedback

TASK 4 – Match variables/indicators with data collection techniques

Complete the following table. Choose the best data collection technique(s) to use for each research variable/indicator identified for the study about TB referred to earlier in the module. Include your reasons for choosing particular techniques to obtain specific kinds of data.

Feedback

TASK 5 - Choose suitable data collection techniques for your assignment

For each of the variables or indicators that you have identified for your assignment protocol, write down a suitable data collection technique that could be used.

5MAKE A PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION

We have now completed an important part of the protocol in which we have defined:

• the information we want to collect to answer the research questions implied in our objectives (i.e. the variables and indicators)
• the study design and data collection method we will use to collect this information
• the data collection techniques we will use
• how we will collect our sample and how many subjects we will include in our study

We are now ready to start planning the fieldwork and how we will collect the data we need.

TASK 6 – Make a plan for data collection

READING: Varkevisser, C. et al.(1991). Module 12. In Designing and Conducting Heath Systems Research Projects. WHO and International Development Research Centre, 2, Part 1. Geneva: WHO: 224 - 231.

Complete the task on p.231 individually, in terms of your assignment protocol. Keep these notes for a later session when you devise your workplan.

6SUMMARY

In this study session you summarised the main advantages and disadvantages of using specific data collection techniques to collect different kinds of data. You gained an insight into how quantitative and qualitative methods can successfully complement each other in studies. You also matched study designs and data collection methods and techniques with study questions and variables. Finally, you used this information to make a plan for data collection for the assignment protocol.

In the next study session, we look at the final element in Stage 4 in developing a protocol – how to analyse the quantitative data that we collect in our research.

Unit 4 - Session 2

Analysing Quantitative Data

Introduction

At the end of the previous study session you made a plan for data collection. In this study session you tackle the final element in Stage 4 of developing a protocol – making a plan for data processing and analysis. In this study session we focus on analysing quantitative data.

4. Research Methodology

• Plan for data processing and analysis

Contents

1.Learning Outcomes of this Session

2.Readings

3.Process Data

4.Design a Master Sheet

5.Analyse Quantitative Data

6.Summary

7.References

1LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THIS SESSION

• Process data (sort, code, design master sheets).
• Decide how to analyse data, based on study objectives and variables.
• Compile summary statistics using one-way and two-way tables and graphs.
• Prepare a plan for the processing and analysis of quantitative data for a research protocol.

• Categorise information.
• Synthesise information, summarise and present it in different ways.
• Draw graphs and tables.

2READINGS

Publication details

3PROCESS DATA

Planning beforehand how you will process and analyse your data ensures that you only collect data that is needed to achieve your objectives. This activity guides you in planning how to process the data that you collect in your study. We start by brainstorming what we would do with the raw data we collect and then clarifying the terms ‘processing’ and ‘analysing’ data.