Improving Quality of Life for Older People in Long-Stay Care ...

each method used at the same point in time or sequentially (Creswell, 2003).There are two types of mixed method research; within method and across method(Denzin, 1989). Within method research involves the use of two or more methodswithin a research paradigm, while across method research involves the use oftwo or more methods across research paradigms. As this study used qualitativeand quantitative methods and part of the qualitative data collection and analysispreceded the quantitative data collection and analysis, the study is categorised asan across method sequential exploratory design. This design was chosen becauseit gave the best means of exploring the research problems.Three methods were employed within this study: focus groups; quantitative surveyof long-stay facilities and qualitative interviews with residents and staff.4.3 Focus Groups with Managers/ProprietorsFocus group interviews and analysis were undertaken prior to other data collectionas they informed the development of the survey instrument and provided, alongsideliterature review, contextual information on factors that influence residents’ qualityof life and care provision in general. Focus groups enabled important backgroundinformation on quality issues in long-stay care to be gathered. Seven focus groupswere held with managers/proprietors of long-stay facilities. A purposeful, stratifiedsampling strategy was employed to ensure that representatives from the five typesof facilities (geriatric hospital/home, health board district hospital/community hospital,health board welfare home, voluntary geriatric home/hospital and private nursinghome), the three sectors (public, voluntary and private) and a mix of facilities (large,small and geographical setting) were invited to participate. Managers in thesesettings were contacted by telephone and invited to attend a focus group; 35 nursemangers were invited to each focus group with the assumption that 10-15 managerswould attend. Letters outlining the purpose of the study and the goals of the focusgroup were sent to nurse managers/proprietors who expressed an interest inattending. The purpose of the focus groups was to identify quality of life issueswithin long-stay facilities, as perceived by managers/proprietors, and to use thisinformation to inform the data collection process through the survey instruments.In all, seven focus groups were held: three in Dublin, two in Galway and one inCork and in Donegal. The distribution of participants is detailed in Table 4.1 below.81