March 13, 2015

Joke Bradt, PhD, an associate professor in the Creative Arts Therapies department at the College of Nursing and Health Professions, was recently chosen as a participant for the first cohort class of the Mixed Methods Research Training program at Johns Hopkins University. As 1 of 14 national participants, Bradt will receive extensive training in the art of Mixed Methods research.

For consideration, Bradt was required to prepare a two page concept paper on a potential study she wanted to submit to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She also had to complete a one page personal statement about why she wanted to be a part of Johns Hopkins Mixed Methods program.

Mixed Methods research involves the seamless integration of quantitative and qualitative research methods into a research study. “When you are just using quantitative data, for example, you are looking at the efficacy of an intervention and how it works,” said Bradt, “but you may not understand why and how it works or how the participants perceive it.” Integrating qualitative and quantitative data together makes research projects stronger and more cohesive.

The program has two goals. The first is to help scholars develop into advanced mix methods researchers so they can tackle more complex issues involved in their future research. They will learn the basics of mixed methods, and also learn how it is best used in projects. The second goal is to prepare all scholars to submit research applications to the NIH. This is achieved by each scholar completing a year-long training period, involving a series of webinars and other educational resources. Furthermore, an added benefit of the program is paring each of the 14 scholars with their own mentors. These mentors are experts in mixed methods training, and act to provide guidance for the entire year, helping scholars submit successful research applications to the NIH.

The mixed methods program also aims to develop all 14 scholars into mixed method “consultants” for their respective higher education institutions. “I want to be a resource to Drexel,” elaborated Bradt. “I want to assist other Drexel researchers with mixed methods research via brainstorming, or even take on a more formal consultant role for mixed methods research.”

Bradt is also looking forward to meeting her fellow scholars. “I am excited to come together with different scholars from different disciplines because it’s interesting to see how they each attack a certain research problem.” Bradt will have the opportunity to meet her fellow scholars on June 15, 2015 at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health.

Bradt is also serving as conference co-chair of the Mixed Methods International Research Association (MMIRA) Regional Conference hosted at Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions in collaboration with MMIRA. “Improbable Dialogues:  Interprofessional Mixed Methods Research Collaborations,” being held on Friday, June 19, Drexel University Center City Campus. The purpose of this one-day seminar is to bring together researchers from multiple disciplines to focus on improbable interprofessional topical and methodological dialogues hoping to create new possibilities for research that could enrich and expand the scope, reach, accessibility, and perspectives on critical issues in a complex global culture. Nancy Gerber, PhD, ATR-BC, director of the PhD program in Creative Arts Therapies, is conference chair.