The project was carried out in 7 work packages (WPs).
WP1 aimed to develop a methodological innovation, with which multimodal data from our empirical studies can be examined and modelled. We developed Qualitative/Unified Exploration of State Transitions (QUEST) and Anchor-based Stream Synchronization as a novel pieces of functionality within our R package {rock}, the Reproducible Open Coding Kit (ROCK). Apart from the open source code, WP1 yielded a paper and conference presentation on a systematic review concerning unified methods (quantifying qualitative data), as well as 2 conference presentations on QUEST itself. We have also published an article on how to use the ROCK to quantify and model qualitative data. Lastly, we held 3 workshops for employing the ROCK and QUEST, which were well-attended by participants from various countries.
WP2 encompassed deploying this novel tool in an empirical study aimed at understanding the online behavior of experts and novices in information retrieval and appraisal. Data collection took place in the US; analysis was performed in the Netherlands. Thus far, we have disseminated preliminary results in 2 conference presentations, a talk open to the general public, a publication in Open Research Europe, and a preprint submitted to the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
WP3 entailed deploying our novel piece of software and creating outputs for a variety of stakeholders, such as for people with low DHL and physicians wanting to inform their patients about “smart online searching”. Work centered around education regarding unified methods and QUEST actualized in 4 guest speaker appearances at universities and 2 workshops. Two analytically-oriented papers have been published and 2 conference presentations held, as well as a symposium. These have also been communicated to the public via a podcast conversation and a public talk. Additionally, WP3 involved working with individuals with low DHL to co-create an intervention aimed at increasing DHL and critical thinking. This work has begun with a Dutch Advisory Group (constituted by individuals with low health literacy); the foundations of this relationship are being laid at the moment.
WP4 encompasses the action: promoting Open Science (OS) and sustainability. I have held several workshops on OS and developed SQAFFOLD (Simple Qualitative Administration For File Organization and Licensing Development), infrastructure for conducting transparent qualitative and unified projects. I also created the material for a 1-hour and a 2-day SQAFFOLD workshop, which I have made public and reusable. I was co-founder of the Open Science Special Interest Group within the Quantitative Ethnography Society, and initiated a mentorship program called the QE Sandbox. Finally, ROCK co-developer and I won a YERUN Open Science Award. The MSCA action itself has been made fully open, and I have maintained a website, Git repository, and Open Science Framework project to increase transparency, accessibility, confirmability, and findability.
Several elements of WP5, dissemination and communication, have been disclosed above, namely conference presentations, publications, workshops, trainings, and public talks. Those not listed above are communications regarding the MSCA action: social media posts reaching 10-20 thousand people each, and 3 guest speaking opportunities at universities on the MSCA in general and its implementation. As a significant miscellanea, I co-edited a volume in Communications in Computer and Information Science (Springer) that contains papers from scholars using unified methods all around the world.
WP6, aimed at training, also encompasses the entire MSCA action. I received hands-on training in project management (transparent planning and implementation, ethical standards, coordinating the activities of large multidisciplinary teams), advanced R programming, and data wrangling. In terms of more formal training, I took part in a FAIR qualitative data practices training, and learned about performing outreach to the general public. Lastly, I attended a summer course on Intervention Mapping, the systematic approach to develop, implement, and evaluate behavior change interventions, which will aided in developing resources and outputs for WP3.
The last WP undergirds the MSCA action: project management. The basic management structure was established in the first week of the grant, and both supervisors (US, NL) had access to this infrastructure. I have also made a blog about completing the action, which is up-to-date on all project activities. I met with both outgoing and incoming phase supervisors regularly. To cover material expenses that could not be financed by the MSCA action, I managed to gain additional funding from University Fund Limburg / SWOL (NL).
The details of all activities and outputs reported above can be accessed at the project website.
