NUR 611 Module 4 Discussion Differentiating Between Qualitative and Quantitative

Sample Answer

Healthcare industry researchers use quantitative and qualitative methods to improve patient outcomes and address clinical questions. Both approaches affect the design of studies conducted by nurse researchers, how they gather data, and their findings. Researchers select quantitative or qualitative research depending on the studied phenomenon, questions, and objectives.

Qualitative Method

Scholars employ qualitative approaches to investigate complex phenomena because they involve collecting detailed and large amounts of information. These methods are valuable to the medical community because they improve the known and hypothesized insights into patients’ experiences, reasoning, and care difficulties. They collect data by employing participant observation, focus groups, and interviews. For instance, using thematic analysis, White et al. (2024) conducted qualitative research on the COVID-19 epidemic experiences of 617 school nurses.

The researchers found that lacking community and school support, dealing with an overwhelming amount of work because of COVID-19, dealing with disorganized and inconsistent communication, and caring about the safety of students and others were among the most significant challenges. This study shows how qualitative approaches can expose intricacies in viewpoint on complex problems in nursing practice.

Quantitative Method

Other researchers apply quantitative approaches dependent on quantifiable, numerical data to test hypotheses and establish correlations between variables. They apply statistical analyses, clinical trials, and questionnaires, among other methods. Using a quantitative research methodology, Li et al. (2022) examine how digital treatments for self-management using mobile apps affect patients’ use of secondary preventive drugs over the long term in the context of coronary heart disease (CHD).

At the end of the first year, the intervention group (49.3% of the total) was less likely to stop taking their medications (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.27-0.78), had better control over their blood pressure (RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.22-1.72; P<.001) and LDL cholesterol levels (RR 1.40, 95% CI 1.11-1.75; P=.004), and adhered to their medications more closely (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.12-1.61; P=.001). This research shows how generalizable results and the evaluation of nursing interventions can be accomplished using quantitative approaches.

Choosing an Appropriate Method

The type of nursing phenomenon investigated, and the research question defines the choice of qualitative or quantitative approaches. In nursing research, both methods have benefits and drawbacks. Qualitative approaches are beneficial for spotting new directions for nursing research and offering a comprehensive knowledge of patient experiences, though they may not be generalizable (White et al., 2024). On the other hand, determining the effectiveness of nursing interventions, evaluating health outcomes, and producing evidence for evidence-based practice call for quantitative approaches (Li et al., 2022).

Although quantitative research offers generalizable results and statistical power, it may ignore minor explanations for noted events in medical environments. Understanding these variations, many nurse researchers apply mixed-methods approaches, combining qualitative and quantitative methods (Ginossar, 2022). Mixed methods offer a complete knowledge of nursing interventions and their implementation in clinical environments by employing the two methodologies, leveraging the benefits of each.

Conclusion

Before deciding on a quantitative or qualitative approach, a researcher should consider the method’s relevance to research questions and their goals. On one hand, qualitative inquiry is critical for capturing the complex aspects of healthcare delivery and patient experiences. Conversely, quantitative studies offer solid statistical evidence used to inform policy decisions and clinical practices across different levels of healthcare. Many nurse researchers use mixed-methods approaches because they acknowledge each other’s strengths and believe that they provide more complete pictures of medical occurrences.

References

• Ginossar, T. (2022). Mixed methods. The International Encyclopedia of Health Communication, 30(1), 57–60. https //doi.org/10.1002/9781119678816.iehc0691
• Li, Y., Gong, Y., Zheng, B., Fan, F., Yi, T., Zheng, Y., He, P., Fang, J., Jia, J., Zhu, Q., Jiang, J., & Huo, Y. (2022). Effects on adherence to a mobile app–based self-management digital therapeutics among patients with coronary heart disease Pilot randomized controlled trial. JMIR MHealth and UHealth, 10(2), e32251. https //doi.org/10.2196/32251
• White, B., Hetzel, A., Willgerodt, M., Durkee‐Neuman, E., & Nguyen, L. (2024). The impact of COVID‐19 on school nursing A qualitative survey of stressors faced by school nurses. Public Health Nursing, 41(3), 543–554. https //doi.org/10.1111/phn.13297