NUR 501 Module 2 Discussion Qualitative And Quantitative Research Design
NUR 501 Module 2 Discussion Qualitative And Quantitative Research Design
In the field of research, there is a distinction between qualitative and quantitative research designs which is very crucial because each serves a different purpose and is guided by different methodologies and philosophies. This essay will evaluate qualitative and quantitative research designs, focusing on their strengths, drawbacks, and the areas in which they are most useful.
Qualitative research follows an explorative strategy with the main objective of achieving insight and comprehension of underlying causalities, opinions, and motivations. It helps painting an illustration of the problem using direct quotations and comprehensive narrative that help to explains the phenomenon in question (Tappen, 2022). Qualitative research is typically more flexible, allowing for shifts and unforeseen pathways to develop along the way. This flexibility can contribute to a more complete and colorful perception of the topic.
On the other hand qualitative research has the strength of providing rich, detailed data however this is its weakness at the same time. The results are often not generalized to the rest of the population since the participants are not picked randomly and the type of analysis is subjective in nature. The great depth of detail that delivers these insights can also be a source of problems, because the contexts and individuals involved are unique and complex. Besides that, the meaning of qualitative data can be very subjective and depend on researcher’s views, biases and theoretical principles.
The other kind of research is quantitative which is based on the systematic empiric investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical and computational methodologies. The key strength of quantitative research is its ability to get numerical data that if properly done is able to identify patterns, make forecasts, and test the cause and effects relation. This specific type of research design is the best choice for researches that are aimed at the measure of the incidence, distribution, and interrelations among variables (Tappen, 2022).
However, the use of numbers limits quantitative research to capture the context and complexity of human behavior. It is sometimes the case that the complexity of real-life situations is reduced to just numbers; which may in turn result in an oversimplification of the phenomena being studied. The design of quantitative studies also starts with a hypothesis and operational definitions and this can restrict the scope of the research and as well as fails to detect unforeseen relationships or variables. The approach utilized for quantitative research, like interviews and experiments, could be rigid, preventing people to respond in defined categories and thus overlooking the context-specific information or the nuances.
When qualitative or quantitative research designs are being chosen, the research question, the nature of the subject matter, and the kind of evidence needed to answer the question satisfactorily, is considered. Qualitative designs are preferable when the research objective is to explore intricate and poorly known phenomena, such as an attempt to understand how and why something happens (Tappen, 2022). Unlike qualitative research, quantitative designs are mostly used when the research question is well-formulated and necessitates a study that can be verified and repeated by other researchers in similar conditions (Tappen, 2022).
Overall, both qualitative and quantitative research designs have their advantages and disadvantages while neither is better than the other. The choice should be informed by the research question, objectives of the research and the nature of the subject area. A balanced view of both methods, as well as a clear perception of their respective advantages and limitations, is a requirement for a thorough and meaningful research. In certain cases the mixed-methods approach that integrates qualitative and quantitative techniques becomes a comprehensive procedure which utilizes the best of both methods and prevents individual constraints of each method.
References
Tappen, R. M. (2022). Advanced nursing research: From theory to practice. Jones & Bartlett Learning.