What is the added value of integrating quantitative and qualitative data at the participant-level in clinical trials? Health Services Research PhD (Funded)

The University of Exeter’s College of Medicine and Health is inviting applications for a fully-funded PhD studentship to commence in September 2020 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover UK/EU tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £15,009 for 3 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student would be based in the Institute of Health Research in the College of Medicine and Health at the St Luke’s Campus in Exeter.

Project Description:
It is common to undertake qualitative research alongside randomised controlled trials (RCTs) when evaluating complex health and social care interventions. Researchers tend to analyse these datasets one by one and then consider their findings separately within the discussion section of their research report, rarely integrating quantitative and qualitative data or findings, and missing opportunities to combine data in order to add rigour, enable thorough and more complete analysis, provide credibility to results, and generate further important insights about the intervention under evaluation. Published examples of data integration from qualitative and quantitative datasets remain rare.

This PhD will apply mixed methods integration techniques at the level of the individual participant to existing data or findings from RCTs involving both quantitative and qualitative research. Different approaches to data integration will be examined, including synthesis of findings driven by quantitative data, qualitative data, or by both equally. The study will test the proposition that such techniques can yield new insights that might, for example, be useful for understanding variation in outcomes, the mechanism by which interventions have an impact, and identifying ways of tailoring interventions to patient preference and type.

This award provides annual funding to cover UK/EU tuition fees, a tax-free stipend and support for research costs. For students who pay UK/EU tuition fees the award will cover the tuition fees in full, plus at least £15,009 per year tax-free stipend. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee and no stipend.

Entry requirements:
Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology such as psychology, health sciences and/or including a professional qualification such as nursing, physiotherapy or medicine.