Examining mixing methods in an evaluation of a smoking cessation program

Anne Betzner; Frances P Lawrenz; Mao Thao

doi:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2015.06.004

Examining mixing methods in an evaluation of a smoking cessation program

Eval Program Plann. 2016 Feb:54:94-101. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2015.06.004. Epub 2015 Jun 20.

Authors

Anne Betzner¹, Frances P Lawrenz², Mao Thao³

Affiliations

¹ Professional Data Analysts, Inc., 219 Main Street SE, Suite 302, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA. Electronic address: abetzner@pdastats.com.
² University of Minnesota, USA. Electronic address: lawrenz@umn.edu.
³ University of Minnesota, USA. Electronic address: thao0181@umn.edu.

PMID: 26520457
DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2015.06.004

Abstract

Three different methods were used in an evaluation of a smoking cessation study: surveys, focus groups, and phenomenological interviews. The results of each method were analyzed separately and then combined using both a pragmatic and dialectic stance to examine the effects of different approaches to mixing methods. Results show that the further apart the methods are philosophically, the more diverse the findings. Comparisons of decision maker opinions and costs of the different methods are provided along with recommendations for evaluators' uses of different methods.

Keywords: Cost analysis; Mixed methods; Smoking cessation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Humans
Program Evaluation / economics
Program Evaluation / methods*
Research Design*
Smoking Cessation / methods*