Mixed Method Research for Policy Impact Professors Deb Brennan and Bettina Cass and Dr. Christiane Purcal

Mixed Method Research for Policy Impact Aims of the workshop: To introduce the principles of mixed method research To illustrate these principles through discussion of a recent ARC Linkage project To focus in depth on one element of this project (a large-scale survey) Schedule: 9.20-9.30 Welcome: Professor Anne Graham 9.30-10.00 Considerations in setting up a research project 10.00-10.45 Discussion of methods used in a recently completed ARC Linkage project ‘Grandparents Raising Grandchildren’: Deb Brennan and Bettina Cass 10.45-11.00 Morning tea 11.00-12.30 Designing and Implementing the Grandparent survey: Christiane Purcal 12.30-1.00 Discussion and questions CLOSE

Outline Preliminary considerations Clarifying terms Defining ‘mixed methods’ Why use mixed methods Introducing the Grandparents project Methods and study aims Research for policy impact

Preliminary considerations Identify and establish a research framework including theory, methodology and conceptual foundations Theory, methods and research aims inhere in one another – they are not ‘stand alone’ considerations In research designed to have policy impact, it is important to consider audience at the outset (policy makers, ministers and ministerial advisers, practitioners, service users and other stakeholders)

Clarifying terms Conceptual framework is the foundational set of ideas that shape the research questions and aims – always based on critical reading of the literature Methodology is the study of methods and deals with the philosophical assumptions underlying the research process. Methods are the specific technique used for data collection Research design is the plan of action that links methodology with the chosen methods Defining mixed methods

Defining mixed methods Mixed methods research … involves philosophical assumptions that guide the collection and analysis of data and the mixture of qualitative and quantitative approaches in many phases of the research process … Its central premise is that the use of quantitative and qualitative approaches in combination provides a better understanding of research problems than either approach alone. J. W. Cressell and V. L. Piano Clark, Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research, (London: Sage, 2006)

Why use mixed methods? Using mixed methods should not be an a priori decision – it MUST flow from the research questions and aims and decisions about how these can best be investigated Mixed methods may strengthen research findings by cross-verification or triangulation of data May encourage the establishment of cross-disciplinary (and cross-institutional) teams For policy impact! Different approaches may resonate with particular audiences e.g. the ‘killer statistic’ or the ‘telling vignette’

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Origins of the project Building links with Partner Organisations Developing the research questions Adapting the research design to the actual ARC budget Perceptions about ‘audience’

Methods and study aims Literature review and scoping of existing policy frameworks Quantitative analysis of ABS Census and statistical data Focus groups with policy makers and service providers Survey of grandparents raising grandchildren Interviews with Indigenous grandparents To understand themes, theory and evidence emerging in Australia and overseas To develop a new analytical approach to defining and enumerating GP headed families, their circumstances & characteristics To gain the perspective of policy makers and NGOs on significant policy and practice issues To draw forth the voices and perspectives of grandparents To obtain finely-grained information from Indigenous grandparents telling their own stories

Research for policy impact Researchers at SPRC and CCYP engage with policy makers and, where possible, seek to contribute to the development of an evidence base for effective, equitable policies ‘Policy scoping’ was extensively used in this project; it underpinned the research aims, the questions asked and the analysis of the lives of grandparent headed families The range of methods used – quantitative and qualitative and engagement with policy makers and service providers - enabled us to understand the fluidity, complexity and diversity of grandparent headed families A single method could not have achieved such rich analysis or provided the depth of evidence to contribute to policy developments nationally and in the States and Territories