Mixed methods medical education research

This workshop is aimed at colleagues who want to understand how utilising both quantitative methods such as questionnaires and qualitative methods such as focus groups and interviews can give a rounded, fuller picture of any area of medical education research. Participants will learn about the principles of triangulation and validity – important principles in any medical education research. The workshop will also focus on maximising recruitment for a mixed methods research project and examine the steps to ensure using different methods can give relevant results and conclusions. This will be an interactive workshop and colleagues will see how the evaluation of the Liverpool Medical Curriculum is a good case study of combining mixed methods amongst other relevant examples. Participants will be invited to critically appraise mixed methods whilst looking at the benefits and discussing potential pitfalls. They will also be able to bring with them any ideas they have for undertaking mixed methods research in medical education which can be discussed in the group or with the convenor.