Tristan Carter

RESEARCH THESIS

Paternal Preconception Health and Care in Australia - A mixed methods study 

The proposed research will employ a mixed-methods sequential explanatory framework conducted in two phases aligning to three preconception periods 1) across the lifespan from childhood, 2) in the preconception period while planning or attempting pregnancy, and 3) as expectant partners of pregnant women.

Phase one comprises meticulous quantitative analysis of two pre-existing data sets, two cross-sectional surveys, endeavouring to capture preconception health information of the target populations. These datasets examine health behaviours and health service use plus preconception attitudes, intentions, and health communications of Australian males.  Phase two commences qualitative data collection and analysis, comprising purposeful sampling of Australian males in three focus groups.

While phase one will guide and inform phase two, the intent of this design is to have the qualitative data, from phase two, build upon, explain and further emphasize the initial quantitative results from phase one.  A mixed methods study design is proposed as a sophisticated and complex method to ultimately strengthen the validity of the research, drawing on both quantitative and qualitative data to gain a complete understanding of the research question.  The quantitative analysis will inform the sampling in the qualitative analysis and will also discern the types of open-ended questions to raise with participants in the focus groups.