Public Health Research

Jasmine Fields

Columbia Southern University

PUH 6301 Public Health Research

Dr. Lakina Moseley

March 21, 2023

Research Design

There are three main types of research designs: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. For my research on vaccine hesitancy and its impact on public health, I will be using a mixed methods approach. This approach combines both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue. On top of this, to collect quantitative data, I will be using a survey tool. The survey will be designed to gather information about vaccination rates, reasons for vaccine hesitancy, and demographic information such as age, gender, and education level. I will distribute the survey online and through healthcare providers to reach a diverse range of participants. Additionally, to collect qualitative data, I will be conducting in-depth interviews with individuals who are hesitant or resistant to vaccines. These interviews will allow me to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying reasons for vaccine hesitancy and explore the cultural and personal factors that influence vaccine attitudes (Leavy, 2022).

I will also be conducting focus groups with healthcare providers to understand their experiences and perspectives on addressing vaccine hesitancy. Moreover, to ensure internal validity, I will be using a mixed methods triangulation design. This involves comparing data from the quantitative and qualitative methods to validate and complement each other. Furthermore, I will also be using a purposive sampling strategy to ensure that my sample represents diverse populations and includes individuals who are hesitant or resistant to vaccines (Verger et al., 2022). To make sure that there is external validity, I will be using a multi-site approach. This involves collecting data from multiple locations and healthcare providers to ensure that my findings are applicable to a larger population.

I will also be using established survey and interview tools to ensure that my data collection methods are reliable and valid. Additionally, I will be using a peer review process to validate my findings and ensure that they align with existing research on vaccine hesitancy. Finally, to ensure ethical considerations are met, I will obtain informed consent from all participants and maintain confidentiality throughout the research process. I believe that this mixed methods approach will provide a comprehensive understanding of vaccine hesitancy and its impact on public health, which will inform the development of effective strategies to improve vaccine acceptance and protect public health (Oduwole et al., 2019).

References

Leavy, P. (2022). Research design: Quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, arts-based, and community-based participatory research approaches. Guilford Publications.

Oduwole, E. O., Pienaar, E. D., Mahomed, H., & Wiysonge, C. S. (2019). Current tools available for investigating vaccine hesitancy: a scoping review protocol.  BMJ open,  9(12), e033245.

Verger, P., Botelho-Nevers, E., Garrison, A., Gagnon, D., Gagneur, A., Gagneux-Brunon, A., & Dubé, E. (2022). Vaccine hesitancy in health-care providers in Western countries: a narrative review.  Expert Review of Vaccines,  21(7), 909-927. https://doi.org/10.1080/14760584.2022.2056026