Bright Spots Mini-Lab

Mini-Lab activities help build the qualitative and mixed methods skills of students and public health practitioners.

Mini-Lab activities foster research and evaluation collaborations to find solutions to MCH public health needs by identifying and employing culturally-responsive, asset-based strategies rooted in the perspectives and experiences of individuals, families and communities.

Spring 2022 Learning Lab Sessions (via Zoom):

Introduction to NVivo with Junia N. de Brito on January 13, 2022 from 10:00 am- 11:15 am (CST)
- Participants will explore learning the essential functions of NVivo, including creating a project, coding, annotations and memos, running queries, and how to set up a project to smooth coding processes between team members.
- RSVP here
Introduction to Coding Qualitative Data with Dr. Johnny Saldaña on February 18, 2022 from 9:00 am- 10:15 am (CST)
- Professor Saldaña will explore the principles of qualitative research and coding, drawing on his background in education and research methods.
- RSVP here
Introduction to Ripple Effect Mapping with Dr. Scott Chazdon on March 25, 2022 from 11:30 am- 1:00 pm (CST)
- More details coming soon.
- RSVP here

Fall 2021 Sessions (via Zoom):

Introduction to Citizen Research with Dr. Stuart Grande (November 5, 2021)

About the Mini-Lab

The goal of the Mini-Lab is to support the growing interest in qualitative and mixed methods research among public health researchers and public health practitioners. We integrate the rich tradition of qualitative inquiry into current public health research so participants can gain a deeper understanding of the public health needs facing our communities, integrate the experiences and perspectives of key stakeholders and community members into research designs, and find solutions to public health problems that take into account the lived experiences of community members.

The Mini-Lab offers participants the space to build or augment the qualitative research skills they’ve learned in classrooms or while at work in their agencies. Together with trainers, MCH and nutrition students, faculty, and other MCH and nutrition colleagues, participants gather regularly for training sessions labs that provide them with an opportunity to consult with experts on activities that strengthen their skills.

When students, agency staff and faculty utilize the same approach to research methods and the same software for data analysis and management—and when those data are shared—we can collectively work toward improving the health of our most vulnerable populations.

Why is Qualitative and Mixed-Methods Research Important?

The use of qualitative research is critical for public health professionals wishing to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of individuals and communities through the systematic study and analysis of non-numeric data.

Focus groups, observations, case studies, one-on-one interviews, and other qualitative data collection methods can provide important insights into and answer questions about the way individuals and communities experience health and illness, and make sense of everyday life.

Quantitative analysis skills are necessary for current and future public health professionals, but they often want deeper insights into actions, ideas and behaviors that could improve health and bolster effective health promotion. The qualitative research methods lab (affectionately called the “mini-lab”) was born out of our desire to be responsive to the needs of public health practitioners and graduate students.

Mini-Lab History

2020-2021

In 2020-2021 we launched introductory sessions through Mini-Lab “Learning Labs” which included: Introduction to Facilitation Skills with Dr. Richard Krueger and Dr. Mary Anne Casey, Introduction to Online Focus Groups with Dr. J. Michael Wilkerson, Advocacy through Storytelling with Carol Dreibelbis, Introduction to NVivo with Junia N de Brito, Introduction to Photovoice with Dr. Fernando Ona and Introduction to Walk-Along with Dr. Carolyn Porta.

2019-2020

In 2019 and early 2020, MCH and MCH Nutrition Trainees continued working on a positive deviance research project. Throughout this experience, trainees conducted qualitative research interviews with caretakers and received transcription training once the interviews concluded. During the summer, MCH and MCH Nutrition Trainees received introductory lessons and training sessions on Mendeley and NVivo.

2018-2019

In 2018, Drs. Jamie Stang and Zobeida Bonilla devoted part of their efforts developing agency-University partnerships and building the mini-lab’s infrastructure.

In 2019, the cohort met with a particular focus on reducing the prevalence of child obesity among vulnerable, diverse populations in Minnesota through the use of a “positive deviance” approach to child obesity prevention, and to share successful strategies with other states and communities.

Trainings included:

NVivo and atlas.ti training, mixed methods research design (Michael Besckstrand)
Case studies, participant observations, interviews, qualitative data analysis techniques (Peter Demerath)
Conducting focus group interviews (Richard Krueger)

Mini-Lab Funding

The Mini-Lab is made possible by the HRSA-funded Center for Leadership Education in Maternal and Child Public Health and the Leadership Education and Training (LET) Program in MCH Nutrition, which allows participants to enjoy the Mini-Lab for free.

The Center for Leadership Education in Maternal and Child Public Health is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number T76MC00005-59-00 for Leadership Education in Maternal and Child Public Health in the amount of $1,750,000. This information or content and conclusions of our outreach products are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

The Leadership Education and Training Program in MCH Nutrition is supported by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number T79MC00007-30-00.

Calendar

You can access Mini-Lab training dates, times and other details by visiting our Mini-Lab calendar.

The Lab

The Mini-Lab is located in the West Bank Office Building (Rooms 328A|328B). Participants can access the lab during office hours (8-4:30 pm, M-F, excluding University holidays). Computer stations are available on a first come, first serve basis. Please email minilab @ umn.edu if you’d like to use our facilities.

Parking

Please park in the surface lot of the West Bank Office Building. We can provide you with 4-hour parking vouchers that will allow you to get out of the lot without charge. If you need a voucher, please contact Zobeida in advance so that she can arrange to get the appropriate number of parking vouchers to you.

Storing your data

Data cannot be permanently stored on lab computers, nor should storage devices should be left in the min-lab. Files should be kept on external hard drives, flash drives, etc. You are welcome to bring your own, or you can let us know and we will arrange to have some on hand for you.

Mini-Lab Survey

We are wanting to monitor and improve the resources at the Mini-Lab. We ask participants and users of the Mini-Lab to complete this short survey.

The Mini-Lab is on the 3rd floor of the West Bank Office Building (WBOB Rm 328A|328B), located on the West Bank of the UMN campus. This quiet, sunlit space provides several comfortable places to gather for discussions. It can also be easily transformed for in-person trainings by skilled instructors, or be configured to build skills-based software tutorials.

Mini-Lab participants have access to the following:

Computers and equipment for data entry and analysis (first come, first served)
Four desktop computers (two Macs, two PCs)
Two laptops
Digital recorders
A color printer
Foot pedals (for easier transcription)
A variety of books

Software for data organization and analysis

A reference library (a selection is listed below)

Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (Creswell, John W.)
The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers Third Edition (Saldana, Johnny M.)
The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research (Denzin, Norman K.)
Complete Library List

Additional information

Demos

Atlas.ti and NVivo offer limited demos that can be accessed on personal computers.

Subscriptions

The UMN offers NVivo subscription options to students, faculty, and staff. Please contact UMN IT for further information.

Tutorial Videos

Atlas.ti

Using Atlas.ti on Windows

NVivo

Discover NVivo 12 Plus Webinar

Billy Wong NVivo Tutorials

The Learning Lab Series began in Fall 2020. This series is dedicated to introducing MCH and PHN students and practitioners to the principles of qualitative data collection techniques.

Fall 2020

Introduction to NVIVO

1. To learn the basic functions of NVivo including creating a project, coding, annotations and memos, and running queries.
2. To learn how to set up your project for smoothing coding between team members.
Resources

NVivo 12 Training Manual by Mr. Godfrey Nkwera (Plan International)

NVivo offers a free trial for new users

Introduction to Photovoice

1. Exposure to the principles of photovoice as a method of qualitative research.
2. Introduction to the application of photovoice in public health.

Resources Document

Photovoice Facilitators Guide, Rutgers University

Introduction to Walk-Along resources

Available in December 2020

Spring 2021

Scheduled to be released in January 2021

If you’re interested in learning more about or participating in the Mini-Lab, please contact:

Dr. Zobeida Bonilla, Center for Leadership Education in Maternal and Child Public Health
1300 S. 2nd St., WBOB 328A|328B
Minneapolis, MN 55455
zbonilla @ umn.edu | 612-626-1733

Lauren Roach
Research Assistant for the Minnesota Women Health Report & LET-MCH Qualitative Methods Mini-Lab
minilab @ umn.edu

Moderating a Focus Group Series: