Open Data Technology Platform Using Compiled Data Collected by a Free Health System Opinion-Gathering Device to Reinforce Health Quality and Governance in Burkina Faso: An Action Research Project (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandrine Biau ◽  
Emmanuel Bonnet ◽  
Christian Dagenais ◽  
Manuela De Allegri ◽  
Zoumana Traoré ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Health System ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Action Research Project

BACKGROUND Health systems are complex systems involving a vast range of actors. In West Africa they are often not very accessible or responsive. Burkina Faso has widely expressed, in its public health policy, the need to improve both access to quality care and health system responsiveness. There is also a strong wish to give more voice to citizens. To support Burkinabe institutions in achieving these goals, we have developed an action research (AR) protocol. OBJECTIVE This paper presents the protocol which will address citizens’ participation in health policies and their empowerment through the expression of opinions, for accountability, as well as the strengthening of the health system using information and communication technologies (ICTs). METHODS Our approach will consist of: 1) enabling people to express their opinions on the health system by means of a toll-free service coupled with an interactive voice server (TF-IVS); 2) building an information base with anonymous and reliable data; and 3) conducting information awareness-raising activities, including knowledge transfer (KT) and advocacy, social integration activities, and development of OpenData platforms, and the capitalization and media coverage of governance issues. For this purpose, the AR project will be implemented in Burkina Faso. The design uses a concurrent mixed-methods approach. This AR project will evaluate the acceptability, process, effectiveness, and economic costs of the system’s implementation. We will also analyze the potential for the data collected by the device to be used to improve practices. RESULTS Data collection is in progress; the toll-free number was officially launched on 1 July 2020 and data collection is planned to continue throughout 2021. By using mixed methods research, our action research will be approached from a variety of perspectives. Mixed methods will support us in combining the partial insights on sophisticated realities from qualitative inquiries with the data analyses produced by quantitative research. CONCLUSIONS This AR is expected to add knowledge on how to increase the empowerment of the population, especially the most vulnerable, to participate in democratic processes and enjoy and exercise their human rights. This protocol recommends implementing a low-cost, contextually adapted technology, associated with an evidence-based approach and carried out on a significant scale. The originality of this approach lies in the fact that it introduces a real AR dimension with local communities and Non-governmental Agencies (NGOs) combined with an integrated strategy of knowledge transfer and application throughout the project for all stakeholders. CLINICALTRIAL Ethical approval registration number: 23–2019/CEIRES. Registered September 24, 2019.

scholarly journals Mixed or Complementary Messages: Making the Most of Unexpected Assessment Results

2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil Jones ◽  
Julia Bauder ◽  
Kevin Engel
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Important Research ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Research Literacy ◽  
Initial Results

Grinnell College participated in ACRL’s first cohort of Assessment in Action (AiA), undertaking a mixed-methods action research project to assess the effectiveness of librarian-led research literacy sessions in improving students’ research skills. The quantitative data showed that the quality of students’ sources did not markedly improve following a research literacy session, while the qualitative data indicated that many students were able to state and describe important research concepts they learned. This article profiles the development of Grinnell’s AiA project and discusses how Grinnell’s librarians responded when the initial results led to more questions rather than to satisfactory answers.

An Introduction to Educational Research

2012 ◽  
pp. 319-340
Author(s):  
Tim Dedeaux
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Educational Research ◽  
Human Subject ◽  
Human Subject Research ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Academic Field ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis

Within the field of educational research, there are several methods, approaches, and concerns a potential researcher must be made aware of. This chapter serves as an introduction to the process of educational research, and as such, is intended for novice researchers seeking to gain an overview of the process of envisioning, designing, and carrying out a successful research project. Further, this chapter addresses the kinds of research that are possible within the academic field, some of the ethical and practical considerations involved in human subject research, and best methodological practices. Four major methods of research are discussed: qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, and action research. Each method is provided with information on the subtypes of research within each area, appropriate methods of data collection and analysis, and acceptable formats for reporting results for each methodological type.

scholarly journals Using Zoom Videoconferencing for Qualitative Data Collection: Perceptions and Experiences of Researchers and Participants

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 160940691987459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy M. Archibald ◽  
Rachel C. Ambagtsheer ◽  
Mavourneen G. Casey ◽  
Michael Lawless
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Practice Nurses ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Conducting Research

Advances in communication technologies offer new opportunities for the conduct of qualitative research. Among these, Zoom—an innovative videoconferencing platform—has a number of unique features that enhance its potential appeal to qualitative and mixed-methods researchers. Although studies have explored the use of information and communication technologies for conducting research, few have explored both researcher and participant perspectives on the use of web and videoconferencing platforms. Further, data are lacking on the benefits and challenges of using Zoom as a data collection method. In this study, we explore the feasibility and acceptability of using Zoom to collect qualitative interview data within a health research context in order to better understand its suitability for qualitative and mixed-methods researchers. We asked 16 practice nurses who participated in online qualitative interviews about their experiences of using Zoom and concurrently recorded researcher observations. Although several participants experienced technical difficulties, most described their interview experience as highly satisfactory and generally rated Zoom above alternative interviewing mediums such as face-to-face, telephone, and other videoconferencing services, platforms, and products. Findings suggest the viability of Zoom as a tool for collection of qualitative data because of its relative ease of use, cost-effectiveness, data management features, and security options. Further research exploring the utility of Zoom is recommended in order to critically assess and advance innovations in online methods.

Can ethics be learned?

2010 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyse Langlois ◽  
Claire Lapointe
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Educational Leaders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Educational Administrators ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

PurposeIn response to the growing need for educational leaders who possess ethical, critical and reflective qualities, a training program was developed based on ethics as a reflective critical capacity and on Starratt's three‐dimensional model. This paper aims to describe the impact of the program on ethical decision making and on educational leaders’ ethical competencies.Design/methodology/approachA three‐year action‐research study was conducted with three groups of educational administrators, totalling 30 participants. Mixed methods were used for data collection: a pre‐ and post‐training questionnaire, individual semi‐structured interviews and group interviews. The questionnaire data were analyzed using SPSS software and interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis.FindingsResults from the pre‐test indicate that, prior to the training program, participants rarely possessed all three ethical dimensions. Post‐test results show how participants experience a significant readjustment process characterized by three different stages which have been called the transformative cycle. Qualitative results show the impact of the training program on improved ethical awareness, judgement structuring, a sense of responsibility, and overall professional conduct. No significant difference is observed between male and female participants but statistically significant differences are found according to number of years of experience and to work situation.Practical implicationsDeveloping sound ethical expertise appears to be promising in training future educational administrators and in improving their leadership skills.Originality/valueThis study is original in many aspects. Theoretically, it is based on a self‐regulated rather than hetero‐regulated approach to ethics and calls for descriptive rather then normative foundations to ethical leadership. With regard to its methodology, it used mixed methods adapted to action research as well as original data collection instruments.

The language-learning self, self-enhancement activities, and self perceptual change

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Sampson
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Learning Motivation ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
Language Learning Motivation ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
The Relationship

This article presents an overview of action research conducted in an EFL university context, regarding primarily the relationship between individual possible self-images, socially constructed possible self-images, and language-learning motivation. The study used three cycles of action research over the course of one 15-week university semester, utilizing mixed-methods data collection and analysis. The results provide support for the assertion that initially inquiring with students as to their language possible self-images might assist the teacher to create more motivating lessons through self-enhancement activities. Furthermore, the article provides context-dependent evidence that assisting students to focus their language-learning possible self-images may positively affect motivation and bring a heightened recognition of self-regulation in language learning.

scholarly journals Relevance of a Toll-Free Call Service Using an Interactive Voice Server to Strengthen Health System Governance and Responsiveness in Burkina Faso

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 353-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucie Lechat ◽  
Emmanuel Bonnet ◽  
Ludovic Queuille ◽  
Zoumana Traoré ◽  
Paul-André Somé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Health System ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Strengthen Health System ◽  
System Responsiveness

Background: In Africa, health systems are poorly accessible, inequitable, and unresponsive. People rarely have either the confidence or the opportunity to express their opinions. In Burkina Faso, there is a political will to improve governance and responsiveness to create a more relevant and equitable health system. Given their development in Africa, information and communication technologies (ICTs) offer opportunities in this area. Methods: This article presents the results of an evaluation of a toll-free call service coupled with an interactive voice server (TF-IVS) tested in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to assess its relevance for improving health systems governance. The approach consisted of a 2-phased action research project to test 2 technologies: recorded messages and touch keypad. Using a concurrent mixed approach, we assessed the technological, social, and instrumental relevance of the service. Results: The call service is available everywhere, 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The equipment and its physical location were not adequately protected against technological hazards. Of the 278 days of operation, 49 were non-functional. In 8 months, there were 13 877 calls, which demonstrated the popularity of ICTs and the ease of access to telephone networks and mobile technologies. The TF-IVS was free, anonymous, and multilingual, which fostered the expression of public opinion. However, cultural context (religion, ethnic culture) and fear of reprisals may have had a negative influence. In the end, questions remained regarding people’s capacity to use this innovative service. In the first trial, 49% of callers recorded their message and in the second, 48%. Touch key technology appeared more relevant for automated and real-time data collection and analysis, but there was no comprehensive strategy for translating the information collected into a response from healthcare actors or the government. Conclusion: This study showed the relevance and feasibility of implementing a TF-IVS to strengthen health system responsiveness in one of the world’s poorest countries. Public opinion expressed through data collected in real-time is helpful for improving system responsiveness to meet care needs and enhance equity. However, the strategy for developing this tool must take into account the implementation context and the activities needed to influence the mechanisms of social responsibility (eg, information provision, citizen action, and state response).

scholarly journals Paradigmatic Shifts in Doctoral Research: Reflections Using Uncomfortable Reflexivity and Pragmatism

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 160940692090753
Author(s):  
Helen Woodley ◽  
Laura Mazzoli Smith
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Doctoral Study ◽  
Paradigmatic Shift ◽  
Doctoral Thesis ◽  
Doctoral Research ◽  
The North ◽  
Methodological Approaches

This article discusses a doctoral study, completed by a then full-time teacher in a Pupil Referral Unit in the north of England, which shifted from a mixed-methods action research project to one that was largely autoethnographic in approach. This incorporated the use of fictionalized data. The aim of the project, both at conception and after the change of focus, was to inform the ongoing practice specifically related to the context of the setting. The former doctoral student and supervisor reflect upon the paradigmatic shift that this entailed, drawing upon a complex conceptualization of reflexivity, and pragmatism, to account for the underlying rationale and affordances of this shift. The uncomfortable realities that were experienced during the doctoral study as a result have given way to a different orientation on the project in the light of subsequent reflection. Consideration of a pragmatist understanding of language in relation to research ends has repositioned the nature of the paradigmatic shift. The confidence to change methodological approaches during a doctoral thesis is explored.

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