混合方法研究评价工具的介绍--MMAT

An Introduction to Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool

混合方法研究(MMR)作为第三种研究范式,是指将定量和定性研究混合或结合到一个单一的研究中。近年来,MMR在医疗领域的应用已成为一种趋势。与单独使用定性或定量研究相比,MMR可以用来说明某一特定现象的不同方面或从不同的角度阐明问题,获得各种不同类型的信息。而MMR系统综述(MMSR)也被研究者青睐,因为通过MMSR可以综合与特定主题相关的大量信息,并产生指导决策的证据。严格评价工具使MMSR研究人员能够评估所纳入原始研究的可信度和相关性。混合方法评价工具(MMAT)为MMSR严格评价阶段的一种工具,可以对定性研究、随机对照试验、非随机研究、定量描述研究和MMR 5类研究的方法学质量进行评价。针对每个纳入的研究,在回答两个筛选问题后,选择适当的研究类别进行评估,然后依照所选类别的标准进行评分。本文全面介绍新版MMAT,以进一步规范和完善MMR和MMSR在我国的应用。

As a third research paradigm,mixed methods research(MMR)refers to mixing or combining quantitative and qualitative research methods or approaches into a single study.The use of MMR in healthcare has become fashionable recently.Compared with using qualitative or quantitative research alone,MMR can be used to illustrate a phenomenon or problem from different perspectives,gaining a variety of different types of information.Mixed methods systematic reviews(MMSR)are preferred by researchers,as they can find and understand a plethora of syntheses related to a particular topic to generate evidence to guide decision-making.Critical appraisal tool enables MMSR researchers to assess the trustworthiness and relevance of results of included primary studies.Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool(MMAT)is designed for the appraisal stage of MMSR that permits to appraise the methodological quality of five categories to studies:qualitative research,randomized controlled trials,non-randomized studies,quantitative descriptive studies,and MMR.For each included study,after responding to the two screening questions,choosing the appropriate category of the study to appraise and then rate according to related criteria.This paper comprehensively introduces the new version of MMAT in order to further standardize and improve the application of MMR and MMSR in China.