NUR 501 Module 2 Discussion Qualitative & Quantitative Research Design

Sample Answer for NUR 501 Module 2 Discussion Qualitative & Quantitative Research Design

Module 2 Discussion: Qualitative & Quantitative Research Design 

Nursing professionals use scientific evidence to guide interventions for improving patient care quality and safety. This evidence is sourced from current, peer-reviewed research varying in many aspects, including study populations, variables, and methods. The research design is the overall strategy that a researcher applies in investigating the research problem. Qualitative and quantitative research designs are common in nursing and help researchers to explore study phenomena differently. Evaluating their characteristics, strengths, and other aspects is crucial for nurses to understand their differences and relevance in nursing. Therefore, this discussion is a critical appraisal of a qualitative and quantitative research design. 

Need Help Writing an Essay?

Tell us about your assignment and we will find the best writer for your paper

Write My Essay For Me

Qualitative research is widely used in nursing to explore health behavior patterns and patient needs and formulate interventions. Renjith et al. (2021) described qualitative research as recording and critical analysis of non-numerical data to unearth deeper meanings of human experiences. A suitable example of a qualitative research design in nursing is phenomenological research, where researchers study phenomena through vivid experiences as participants perceive or interpret them. For instance, Davoodi et al. (2022) used a phenomenological approach to evaluate the barriers to medical advice among patients with type 2 diabetes. Semi-structured interviews revealed that family problems, occupational factors, poor attitudes, and knowledge problems were the leading barriers to adherence. Generally, a qualitative research design such as a phenomenological study allows researchers to examine an issue in-depth. Data based on human experience is also compelling, albeit with generalizability limitations, since it is collected from a small sample. Research quality also depends on the researcher’s skills, particularly where interviews are involved. 

Quantitative research also dominates nursing research, particularly when researchers want to collect massive data from a large population. Within nursing, quantitative research involves collecting and analyzing numerical data to make generalizations about the study phenomena. A typical quantitative research design is a quasi-experimental study where researchers determine causal relationships without randomization (Maciejewski, 2020). In such studies, outcomes of an intervention are compared between the treatment/intervention and control groups. To illustrate quantitative research design, Martos-Cabrera et al. (2021) conducted a quasi-experimental study to evaluate the impact of health education intervention among patients with type 2 diabetes. The intervention group participated in an intense (360-minute) educational program, while the control group continued with the usual 90-minute program. Outcomes comparison post-study revealed a statistically significant difference (p > 0.001) between the groups in terms of improving HBA1c levels. These results underline the significance of quantitative research in obtaining more focused, generalizable results. Experimentation also helps to reduce personal bias experienced in qualitative research designs. However, numerical results provide a less detailed picture of the study phenomena. Measurement errors may also affect the results’ validity and reliability.  

Research designs vary with the study population, researchers’ objectives, time, and other factors. Qualitative research explores an issue by exploring non-numerical data, while quantitative research uses numerical data. A phenomenological study is a suitable example of a qualitative research design, while a quasi-experimental study is a common quantitative research design in nursing. Both approaches have different strengths and weaknesses, hence the need for researchers to understand them before commencing a study. 

References 

Davoodi, M., Dindamal, B., Dargahi, H., & Faraji-Khiavi, F. (2022). A phenomenological study on barriers of adherence to medical advice among type 2 diabetic patients. BMC Endocrine Disorders, 22(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-021-00928-x 

Maciejewski, M. L. (2020). Quasi-experimental design. Biostatistics & Epidemiology, 4(1), 38-47. https://doi.org/10.1080/24709360.2018.1477468 

Martos-Cabrera, M. B., Gómez-Urquiza, J. L., Cañadas-González, G., Romero-Bejar, J. L., Suleiman-Martos, N., Cañadas-De la Fuente, G. A., & Albendín-García, L. (2021). Nursing-intense health education intervention for persons with type 2 diabetes: a quasi-experimental study. Healthcare, 9(7), 832. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9070832 

Renjith, V., Yesodharan, R., Noronha, J. A., Ladd, E., & George, A. (2021). Qualitative methods in health care research. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 12, 20. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_321_19