Can I conduct rigorous qualitative research outside the ivory tower? A glimpse into CRO methods
Location
1054
Format Type
Event
Format Type
Workshop
Start Date
January 2019
End Date
January 2019
Abstract
Contract research organizations (CROs) are private entities that contract with funding organizations such as Federal or state governments or foundations to conduct research with the goal of answering a specific policy or programmatic question. CROs offer another setting for conducting rigorous qualitative research outside of academia.
This workshop will discuss the special considerations for conducting rigorous qualitative research studies in the CRO setting. These include the use of large and geographically dispersed data collection teams, many of whom are not formally trained in qualitative methodology and analysis. Additional considerations include: tight timelines to complete the research and report findings to the funding organization, limited funding, regulatory compliance, and identifying findings of relevance to policy makers. CROs are often responsible for delivering a final, replicable qualitative dataset and analysis. We will present methods CROs use to ensure that the research is valid and reliable given these considerations. Topics include training data collection teams to conduct site visits, focus groups, and in-depth interviews, methods used to ensure the analysis is robust and transparent. We will also discuss the experience of conducting qualitative research in the CRO setting for students or others who might be considering a career outside of academia.
Keywords
health services research, CROs, qualitative research, careers, public policy
Can I conduct rigorous qualitative research outside the ivory tower? A glimpse into CRO methods
1054
Contract research organizations (CROs) are private entities that contract with funding organizations such as Federal or state governments or foundations to conduct research with the goal of answering a specific policy or programmatic question. CROs offer another setting for conducting rigorous qualitative research outside of academia.
This workshop will discuss the special considerations for conducting rigorous qualitative research studies in the CRO setting. These include the use of large and geographically dispersed data collection teams, many of whom are not formally trained in qualitative methodology and analysis. Additional considerations include: tight timelines to complete the research and report findings to the funding organization, limited funding, regulatory compliance, and identifying findings of relevance to policy makers. CROs are often responsible for delivering a final, replicable qualitative dataset and analysis. We will present methods CROs use to ensure that the research is valid and reliable given these considerations. Topics include training data collection teams to conduct site visits, focus groups, and in-depth interviews, methods used to ensure the analysis is robust and transparent. We will also discuss the experience of conducting qualitative research in the CRO setting for students or others who might be considering a career outside of academia.
Comments
Breakout Session A