Psychosocial Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on West Africans Based in Victoria Australia who Survived the 2014-16 Ebola Epidemic: The Methodological Approach

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic caused some obvious psychosocial distress in virtually all aspects and works of life. This has led to massive volumes of research. Yet, concerns for preparedness against future disease outbreak remains. One of such concerns is around mental health care. Therefore, a research agenda is to investigate the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 as perceived by Australian-based West Africans who survived the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic before coming to Australia. Objective: The objective of this article is to describe the options of research methods that have been considered. Method: The description was designed to take a narrative approach. As such, vivid descriptions of potentially applicable research methods are presented. Outcome: Paradigms as well as concepts of qualitative and quantitative research rationales are discussed. Sequential approach in mixed-method research is also described. Limitations of the different methodological options are highlighted to inform their pros and cons. Conclusion: The significance of this article is elucidation of methodologies that underpin the selected methods in the research project.