Guideline for Mixed-Methods Study

Updated on 1 January 2022

Articles submitted to the Belitung Nursing Journal should not exceed 7000 words  for the main text, including abstract, tables and references. But, in some cases, 10,000 words are allowed if needed. A minimum of 5000 words of the main text of the manuscript will be considered as an original research article. 

Abstract:

Write a structured abstract, including 5 headings: Background, Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. Abstract should not be more than 350 words and add key words (3-10 words). Wording should be concise and present only the essential elements. 'Telegraphic' statements without verbs are acceptable. 

Main text:

The main text should have no authors' detail. All illustrations, figures, and tables are placed within the text at the appropriate points, rather than at the end of the manuscript.

BACKGROUND

  • Clearly identify the research problem, rationale, context, international relevance of topic.
  • Provide the gap to show the significant of your study (nursing significance).
  • Present the scientific, conceptual or theoretical framework that guided the study, identifying and providing an overview of the conceptual model and/or theory where appropriate. 
  • Explain connections between study variables and support those connections with relevant theoretical and empirical literature.
  • Explain the connections between the scientific hypothesis, conceptual model or theory and the study variables. 
  • Aim(s): State the aims of the study as a narrative study purpose or as research questions or hypotheses to be tested at the end of introduction. For example, ‘The aim of the study was to…’

METHODS 

Study Design

Identify the specific mixed method research design used, i.e., primarily qualitative with a quantitative component, or primarily quantitative with a qualitative component. Also identify the specific quantitative and qualitative approaches.

In line with the guidance supplied above, for both the quantitative and qualitative components of the study supply details of:

Sample/Participants

Explain the sample selection, inclusion criteria, and its calculation separately for quantitative and qualitative strands.

Data Collection

Explain the procedure of data collection for both qualitative and quantitative strands. Describe when and where the data were collected in each step, and describe who collect the data. 

Data Analysis

Additionally, explain the procedures and statistical analyses that will synthesise the findings of the Quant and Qual components of the study.

Validity and Reliability/ Trustworthiness

Provide types of and estimates for trustworthiness of qualitative data, including types of dependability and credibility used, and the psychometric properties of quantitative instruments. If tools were developed for this study, describe the processes employed, including validity and reliability testing.

Ethical Considerations

  • Identify any particular ethical issues that were attached to this research. Provide a statement of ethics committee approval. Do not name the university or other institution from which ethics committee approval was obtained; state only that ethics committee approval was obtained from a university and/or whatever other organisation is relevant.
  • Explain any other approvals obtained, for example, local site arrangements to meet research governance requirements. If, according to local regulations, no formal ethical scrutiny was required or undertaken, please state this.
  • The complete name of the institution and approval number should be stated in the title page.

RESULTS

The presentation of the results is according to the mixed-methods design used by the authors. Both quantitative and qualitative results can be combined or explained separately.

  • Start with a description of actual sample. For example, ‘The study participants ranged in age from X to Y years…’.
  • Present results explicitly in relation to study aim(s).
  • For the qualitative data, identify the themes or categories and provide data to support each theme or category, such as quotations from participants.
  • For the quantitative data, present results explicitly for research question or hypothesis. Indicate whether each hypothesis was supported or declined.
  • Component findings may either be presented separately or in combination.
  • Use subheadings as appropriate.

 DISCUSSION

  • Discussion must be in relation to the conceptual or theoretical framework and existing literature. Do previous research findings match or differ from yours?
  • Draw conclusions about what new knowledge has emerged from the study. For example, this new knowledge could contribute to new conceptualisations or question existing ones; it could lead to the development of tentative/substantive theories (or even hypotheses), it could advance/question existing theories or provide methodological insights, or it could provide data that could lead to improvements in practice. Be explicit about the contribution of the combined / synthesized findings, and of this particular approach.
  • End with study limitations including but not confined to sample representativeness and/or sample size, transferability of the qualitative findings, and generalizability/external validity of quantitative results.
  • Identify implications/recommendations for practice/research/education/management as appropriate, and consistent with the limitations.

 CONCLUSION

  • Provide real conclusions, not just a summary/repetition of the findings.

 REFERENCES

Use APA (American Psychological Association) 6th or 7th Edition with DOI number assigned format for citation and references.