The Complexity of Human Social Interactions Calls for Mixed Methods in HRI

This chapter reviews the challenges and advantages of writing a mixed method research (MMR) proposal. The argument put forward is that a mixed method approach overcomes the shortcomings of the commonly used qualitative and quantitative methods. A brief definition of a research proposal is followed by a discussion on the different interpretations of a mixed method and what makes mixed methods ideal in the proposal example that follows. A mixed method can be either one that utilizes qualitative and quantitative methods to different degrees or it can be regarded as a distinct method by itself. A mixed method is suitable where both different types of data can be collected, when the data adds value to what would be achieved using one approach and where cost also justifies it. A hypothetical case example where an application is being made to conduct an evaluation of an anti-truancy program is presented.

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Potential challenges in conducting clinical trials with mixed methods approach

Journal of Biomedical Sciences ◽

10.3126/jbs.v6i3.26849 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 17

Author(s):

Muhamed Ibnas ◽

M. Asim ◽

B. Sathian

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Qualitative Research ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Clinical Research ◽

Mixed Method ◽

Mixed Method Research ◽

Mixed Method Approach ◽

Mixed Methods Approach ◽

Method Approach

Background: Clinical trial is being conducted to assess the safety, efficacy and/or dosage regimen of a drug or therapeutic intervention in human subjects which are carefully selected on predetermined criteria. On the other hand, qualitative research is open-ended focuses on the depth of understanding of issues that are beyond the scope of quantitative analysis. Although, quantitative method is predominated in clinical research; over the past decade qualitative approach is being recognized for its value and unique contributions and is increasingly incorporated in clinical research. The combination of these two approaches in a single study is referred as Mixed Method design. Herein, we aim to explore the major challenges and pitfalls in conducting clinical trials with mixed method approach. Materials and methods: We reviewed the published literature in English language through the research engines (PubMed and Google Scholar) involving clinical trials/studies with mixed method approach to look for the potential challenges and issues identified during the conduct of mixed method research (MMR). Results: There are various issues in conducting clinical trials with mixed methods approach as it is time consuming, requires expertise, skills and methodological training for both quantitative and qualitative research. Also, there are a number of challenges observed while conducting MMR, such as obtaining informed consent, safety events reporting, data retrieval, study documentation, data confidentiality and storage, inappropriate integration and interpretation of the data as well as incorrect ordering, preferences and objective of each method. Conclusion: Use of hybrid approach in clinical trial can provide deeper understanding and insights of research question with higher validity and reliability. MMR has certain challenges which can be overcome by in-depth methodological training and collaboration. Therefore, strong collaboration between clinical and social scientists in necessary to design a competitive funding grant for mixed method research. Finally, integration and implementation of MMR is crucial for conducting pragmatic trials.

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Designing Acceptable Robots for Assisting Older Adults: A Pilot Study on the Willingness to Interact

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182010686 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (20) ◽

pp. 10686

Author(s):

Roberta Bevilacqua ◽

Elisa Felici ◽

Filippo Cavallo ◽

Giulio Amabili ◽

Elvira Maranesi

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Mixed Method ◽

Interaction Analysis ◽

Human Robot Interaction ◽

Assistive Robotics ◽

Service Robot ◽

Emotional Expressions ◽

Nonverbal Behaviors ◽

Robot Interaction ◽

Method Approach

The aim of this paper was to explore the psychosocial determinants that lead to acceptability and willingness to interact with a service robot, starting with an analysis of older users’ behaviors toward the Robot-Era platform, in order to provide strategies for the promotion of social assistive robotics. A mixed-method approach was used to collect information on acceptability, usability, and human–robot interaction, by analyzing nonverbal behaviors, emotional expressions, and verbal communication. The study involved 35 older adults. Twenty-two were women and thirteen were men, aged 73.8 (±6) years old. Video interaction analysis was conducted to capture the users’ gestures, statements, and expressions. A coded scheme was designed on the basis of the literature in the field. Percentages of time and frequency of the selected events are reported. The statements of the users were collected and analyzed. The results of the behavioral analysis reveal a largely positive attitude, inferred from nonverbal clues and nonverbal emotional expressions. The results highlight the need to provide robotic solutions that respect the tasks they offer to the users It is necessary to give older consumers dedicated training in technological literacy to guarantee proper, long-lasting, and successful use.

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Identification of the H&S (Health and Safety Factors) Involved in Infrastructure Projects in Developing Countries-A Sequential Mixed Method Approach of OLMT-Project

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17020635 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 635 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ahsan Nawaz ◽

Xing Su ◽

Qaiser Mohi Ud Din ◽

Muhammad Irslan Khalid ◽

Muhammad Bilal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Mixed Method ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Work Practice ◽

Infrastructure Projects ◽

Safety Factors ◽

Mixed Method Approach ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

Method Approach

Urbanization is playing a key role in big cities of developing countries, which, in effect, is increasing the population. This study takes care of the mega infrastructure project (Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT)) to explore and identify the H&S (Health and Safety) factors that affect the local residents and the main key stakeholders working on the project. A Sequential Mixed-Method approach of the OLMT-project includes qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted. The data have been collected from the targeted population working on the OLMT-project through a questionnaire. The main key finding of the study indicates that poor planning and a lack of communication between the public and government led to frustration. The most significant factors that identified in the study were unsafe to work practice, project scope constraints, lack in technical and material support, unsafe/bad condition, health/environment degradation, declination and loss of resources and time, no proper emergency system, and negligence in adopting safety rules and laws. The study also revealed that the consensus should also be noticed between the key stakeholders (e.g., contractors, clients, safety officials, academia) in the second round of the Delphi survey of the project. The study findings will help the key stakeholders to prioritize their energies towards attaining zero levels of inadequate health and safety practices in infrastructure projects. The study outcomes can also be generalized for the other developing countries having a similar work scenario.

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Designing a PhD Proposal in Mixed Method Research

10.4018/978-1-6684-3881-7.ch012 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 211-221

Author(s):

Ndungi wa Mungai

Keyword(s):

Mixed Method ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Research Proposal ◽

Mixed Method Research ◽

Hypothetical Case ◽

Mixed Method Approach ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽

Definition Of ◽

Method Approach

This chapter reviews the challenges and advantages of writing a mixed method research (MMR) proposal. The argument put forward is that a mixed method approach overcomes the shortcomings of the commonly used qualitative and quantitative methods. A brief definition of a research proposal is followed by a discussion on the different interpretations of a mixed method and what makes mixed methods ideal in the proposal example that follows. A mixed method can be either one that utilizes qualitative and quantitative methods to different degrees or it can be regarded as a distinct method by itself. A mixed method is suitable where both different types of data can be collected, when the data adds value to what would be achieved using one approach and where cost also justifies it. A hypothetical case example where an application is being made to conduct an evaluation of an anti-truancy program is presented.

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A Critical Review on the Study of Threatening in English

Forum for Linguistic Studies ◽

10.18063/fls.v2i1.1206 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 55

Author(s):

Yan Zheng ◽

Yongfeng Zhao

Keyword(s):

Mixed Method ◽

Critical Review ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Speech Act ◽

Mixed Method Approach ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽

New Directions ◽

Judicial Proceedings ◽

New Perspective ◽

Method Approach

Despite the fact that threatening in languages is common in ordinary verbal communication, it has not received much attention from academic studies because of its “negative” nature. Muschalik’s monograph Threatening in English: A Mixed Method Approach, mainly based on the theory of Face Threatening Speech Act by Brown and Levinson (1987), takes 301 categories of threatening expressions in judicial proceedings as the corpus with qualitative and quantitative methods, brings a new perspective for pragmatic research, especially speech act research, and deepens people’s understanding of relevant issues. Initiated by Muschalik’s book Threatening in English: A Mixed Method Approach, the paper is to make a critical review on the studies of threatening in English and propose some new directions for the study of threatening in languages.

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