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NIH releases best practices for combining qualitative and quantitative research
The National Institutes of Health today released recommendations or best practices for scientists conducting mixed methods health research. Mixed methods research combines the strengths of quantitative research and qualitative research. Despite the increased interest in mixed methods research in health fields and at NIH, prior to this report, there was limited guidance to help scientists developing applications for NIH funding that featured mixed methods designs, nor was there guidance for the reviewers at NIH who assess the quality of these applications.
The recommendations were created by John W. Creswell and Vicki L. Plano Clark of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Ann Carroll Klassen, Drexel University, Philadelphia; and Katherine Clegg Smith, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. Additional input for the recommendations came from a diverse working group of scientists with expertise in research methodology from diverse fields such as public health, nursing and medicine. The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), part of NIH, identified the need for this guidance and commissioned the report.
Multi-pronged strategies that address both prevention and treatment are critical to effectively tackling today's most pressing public health problems, including obesity, health disparities among populations, poor adherence to treatments, and many other problems. Teams of scientists working together on the genetic, societal and behavioral causes of such problems require rigorous data to understand and effectively address these problems. This often requires both quantitative and qualitative data.
The authors of the report note that mixed methods lends itself to research problems in which a singular approach would not allow the scientist to develop multiple perspectives and a complete understanding of the problem or research question. The report also provides suggestions on how to design a mixed methods study, outlines the challenges in mixed methods investigations and addresses how to form, lead and train a mixed methods research team.
The report provides practical best practices for researchers seeking to incorporate mixed methods research into their applications for NIH research grants as well as fellowship, career, training and center grants. The latter part of the report suggests criteria for evaluating the merits of proposed investigations using mixed methods. The best practices report ends with overall recommendations for applicants, reviewers and stakeholders.
For more information on Best Practices for Mixed Methods Research in the Health Sciences, please visit: <http://obssr.od.nih.gov/scientific_areas/methodology/mixed_methods_research/index.aspx>
Resubmission of Applications with Pending Appeals of NIH Initial Peer Review
Notice Number: NOT-OD-11-101
Release Date: July 29, 2011
The NIH will not review a resubmission application (A1 version) if an appeal of initial peer review is pending on the original application (A0 version). This policy is effective for A0 applications submitted for the May 25, 2011 due date and thereafter. These applications will be reviewed in the fall of 2011 for the January 2012 Council round.
Longstanding NIH policy states that the NIH will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial peer review unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. Also, if an appeal has been submitted concerning the initial peer review of an application, the NIH considers that application to be pending initial peer review until the appeal has been resolved. Resolution of an appeal occurs when the initial peer review outcome is finalized, by issuance of the final overall impact score and summary statement. Resolution can follow a decision that the initial peer review outcome will stand or that the application will be deferred and re-reviewed, with subsequent issuance of the final overall impact score and final summary statement.
NIH Program Officials and the Division of Receipt and Referral will monitor the receipt of appeal letters and resubmission applications. Should an appeal for the initial peer review of the A0 version of an application be pending resolution and an A1 version of that application is submitted, or an A1 version of an application be pending peer review and an appeal for the initial peer review of the A0 version of that application is received, the applicant organization must choose to have either the appeal or the A1 version withdrawn. This decision must be sent in writing to the NIH Program Official, with concurrence of the Authorized Organization Representative within five business days of being notified by the Program Official.
For more information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-101.html
Mandating Use of the Commons to Submit No-Cost Extension Notifications
Notice Number: NOT-OD-11-098
Key Dates
Release Date: July 15, 2011
Effective Date: October 1, 2011
Effective October 1, 2011, the No-Cost Extension feature in the eRA Commons (accessed via the Action column of the Status Result – General Search results list) must be used to notify NIH when a grantee exercises their one-time authority to extend the final budget period of a previously approved project period for up to 12 months. Grantees are reminded that all such notifications must be submitted through the Commons before the project period expires. Once the eRA Commons link is closed, such an action becomes a prior approval request and must be submitted for consideration to the Grants Management office of the NIH awarding component.
For more information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-098.html
NIH, AHRQ, CDC, FDA and NIOSH to Release Updated Electronic Application Forms – ADOBE-FORMS-B2
Update: The following update relating to this announcement has been issued:
- July 22, 2011 - See Issuance of (Parent R01) PA-11-260.
- July 22, 2011 - See Issuance of (Parent R21) PA-11-261.
- July 22, 2011 - See Issuance of (Parent R03) PA-11-262.
Release Date: July 13, 2011
Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH), http://www.nih.gov
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), http://www.ahrq.gov/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), http://www.cdc.gov/
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), http://www.fda.gov/
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/
Purpose
The purpose of this guide notice is to alert applicants that NIH, AHRQ, CDC, FDA and NIOSH are phasing in use of updated electronic application forms packages.
The ADOBE-FORMS-B2 packages will be used with new funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) posted on/after July 22, 2011. In addition, NIH will reissue R01, R03, and R21 parent announcements with the new forms on July 22 and expire the current parent R01, R03, and R21 FOAs on January 8, 2012 . Applicants may use either the current parent FOAs with ADOBE-FORMS-B1 or the new parent FOAs with ADOBE-FORMS-B2 packages for deadlines on/before January 7, 2012, but NIH strongly encourages applicants to use ADOBE-FORMS-B2 whenever possible. Applicants downloading forms from the current parent announcements will encounter a splash screen directing them to the new parent announcements once they are posted.
The new packages will be identified with a Competition ID of ADOBE-FORMS-B2 (the Competition ID field can be found when downloading the application package from Grants.gov and in the application header information on the downloaded form).
Please note that the incorporation of these forms does not result in any major changes to the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide for NIH and other PHS agencies. All applicants should carefully read their FOA and the appropriate “B Series” Application Guide for program-specific instructions before completing their application.
For more information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-096.html
