Conducting nursing research is a complicated task, which requires the selection of an appropriate study design. It can be either quantitative or qualitative, and these two types are distinguished by their purpose and data analysis instruments. For instance, quantitative methods of examination are aimed at evaluating statistical data and skills for further interpretation of corresponding issues (Jung, 2019). In other words, they are applicable to the cases when information is expressed in numerical formats (Jung, 2019). In turn, qualitative design is intended for receiving more comprehensive information on the matter while describing phenomena in detail (Chicca, 2020). It allows assessing various characteristics in the scope of a single study and, therefore, is viewed as more challenging.
Another difference between these two approaches is the adoption of varying techniques for data analysis. In quantitative nursing research, they include statistical methods such as univariate, bivariate, and multivariate, which examine a single variable, the relationship between two variables, and evaluate multiple variables, respectively (Jung, 2019). Hence, they are solely oriented on numerical connections from evidence-based statistics. Meanwhile, qualitative data analysis implies the use of more complex programs for this purpose. They process the gathered information by identifying common themes and translating abstract ideas into meaningful findings (Chicca, 2020). As a result, this design provides more data, thereby increasing the possibility of bias.
Research questions will differ in these types of studies accordingly. For quantitative nursing research, it can be: Is the economic situation of patients from hospital N related to obesity? In the case of qualitative design, the question would be: Do people with diabetes type 1 using mobile apps reminding them of lower blood sugars manage their condition better than other patients? The investigation of these problems in the future will help gain a better understanding of an advanced nursing role.
References
Chicca, J. (2020). Introduction to qualitative nursing research.American Nurse. Web.
Jung Y. M. (2019). Data analysis in quantitative research. In P. Liamputtong (Ed.), Handbook of research methods in health social sciences (pp. 956–968). Springer.