‘What does good innovative research look like?’

Abstract

In this editorial we debate innovation in research methods. Research methods represent the backbone of any research endeavour, as they allow research questions to be investigated with rigour, transparency and precision. As research methods are constantly created, adjusted and updated, this editorial discusses the relevance of some of the latest innovative mixed methods approaches in health and social care research. Firstly, innovation in qualitative research is discussed then we set out some thoughts in relation to innovation in quantitative research. Innovation in qualitative research is a thorny issue. It first requires a shared understanding of what innovation actually means in this context. One definition is ‘the intentional introduction and application of ideas, processes, products or procedures, new to the relevant unit of adoption, designed to significantly benefit’ (Lê and Schmid 2022, 308). However, there are still multiple layers of understanding of innovation in qualitative research which are highly subjective. Firstly, the idea that innovation in research requires such elements of a study design to be intentional. What if, for example, unexpected and unintended innovations occur in the process of conducting qualitative research and these are captured reflexively by the researcher? Secondly, a clearly new procedure may be applied to a particular context which ultimately lacks significant benefits to participants or the research in question. Whilst both scenarios fall outside of the above definition, if modified effectively they may still lead to future innovative research and is thus could be an important part of the process of methodological development. Whilst not a way to fully eliminate any of the above issues, innovation in qualitative research can be achieved through collaboration: both within academic circles and with the stakeholders of the evaluations and research projects. For example, in projects that concern institutions or organisations working with vulnerable or marginalised people, study designs which reflect the notion of change and doing things differently using co-constructed and participatory research designs seem to get closest to ‘innovation’, whilst incorporating the factors in the above definition concerning benefits to participants, institutions and programmes. This extends to the dissemination of qualitative research, for example key findings being disseminated by non-traditional means, such as an animated film make by a professional artist. Such research outputs can distill project’s findings in a way that would not be possible by other means and have the potential to highlight issues in a direct and resonant way than a more ’traditional’ technical report. Innovation is also key when it comes to quantitative methods. When researchers attempt to quantify how good specific health and social care interventions are, crucial methodological INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PROMOTION AND EDUCATION 2023, VOL. 61, NO. 3, 113–114 https://doi.org/10.1080/14635240.2023.2204022