2018
Observational and Quasi-Experimental Research Methods
Description: Observational studies draw inferences about the effect of a treatment on subjects, where the assignment of subjects into groups is observed rather than manipulated (e.g., through randomization) by the investigator. Quasi-experimental designs are similar to experimental designs in that there is a specific intervention for the “treated”group, but lack the randomization of subjects to treatment and control groups.This workshop will focus on the challenges and limitations of these research designs and the inherent trade-offs between internal and external validity. We will use actual data sets to walk through examples of selection bias and confounding and how they are problematic. We will then devote the majority of this workshop session to demonstrating the methods used to address these issues with a focus on propensity score and instrumental variable analyses.
Slides: pt. 1 Here; pt. 2 Here
Qualitative Research Methods
Description: Qualitative research is a broad methodological approach that
encompasses many research methods. This workshop will provide an overview of
the theoretical and methodological differences between qualitative research
approaches and will explore the applicability of the different methods to
various types of palliative care research. The workshop will conclude with an
in-depth discussion of a qualitative research study to exemplify how the design,
analyses, and study results would differ under the different approaches. At the
end of this workshop, the participant will have a more in-depth understanding
of the different types of qualitative research methods, the situations in which
each type is most appropriate, and a more nuanced perspective with which to
design and evaluate rigorous qualitative research.
Practical Guidance for Cost Analysis of Healthcare Data
Description: There is pressing need for rigorous analyses of healthcare cost data in palliative care research. This workshop will: 1) Discuss the challenges in the analysis of healthcare cost data; 2) Describe the misuse of statistical methods in analysis of costs in medical literature; and 3) Present new statistical methods for the analysis of healthcare costs. We will focus on arenas of application,approaches to framing cost analyses, approaches to calculating/imputing healthcare costs, and issues in the statistical analysis of cost data. We will conclude by discussing the research agenda on improving data, methods, and the scientific quality and relevance of cost analyses.
Slides:
Here