Design A Quantitative And Qualitative Research Question

Design a Quantitative and Qualitative Research Question for a Common Problem

According to Creswell (2009), quantitative research is a "means for testing objective theories by examining the relationship among variables that can be measured and analyzed using statistical procedures." Qualitative research, Creswell posits, is a "means for exploring and understanding the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to social or human problems." Consider the phenomenon of pain. Ethics committees and institutional review boards do not allow researchers to inflict equal doses of pain on subjects to examine their physiological response. In quantitative research, pain can be measured physiologically by blood pressure, changes in blood chemistry, muscle contractions, and pain scales (which are still subjective, but at least quantifiable).

Researchers using a qualitative perspective may ask participants about their experience of being in physical pain, whether being in pain has changed them in any way, or what they have learned from experiencing physical pain. For this Assignment, consider differences in how you might frame a research question in order to explore it using quantitative or qualitative research methods. By Day 7 Submit a 2-page paper that highlights one of the research questions you shared in your Discussion post. Design a quantitative research question related to this problem and a qualitative research question related to the same problem. Please use the resources to support your answer.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the nature of pain from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives offers a comprehensive approach to research. In this paper, I will explore a specific problem related to pain, formulate both a quantitative and a qualitative research question pertaining to that problem, and emphasize how each approach aligns with Creswell’s (2009) definitions of research methodologies.

The problem selected for this analysis pertains to the impact of chronic pain on patients’ daily functioning and psychological well-being. Chronic pain is a persistent health issue affecting millions globally, leading to significant physical, emotional, and social consequences. Given its complex nature, research can be approached both quantitatively, to measure physiological indicators or symptom severity, and qualitatively, to explore patients' lived experiences and personal meanings attributed to their pain.

Quantitative Research Question

The quantitative research question aims to establish measurable and objective relationships. An example could be: “What is the relationship between the level of chronic pain intensity, as measured by a standardized pain scale, and physical functioning, as assessed by a mobility test, among patients with chronic pain?” This question seeks to quantify the relationship between pain severity and physical ability using statistical analysis, aligning with Creswell’s (2009) view of quantitative research as examining relationships among measurable variables.

Qualitative Research Question

In contrast, the qualitative research question focuses on understanding personal meanings and subjective experiences. An appropriate question might be: “How do patients living with chronic pain describe its impact on their daily lives and emotional well-being?” This question aims to gather rich, descriptive data about personal perspectives and lived experiences, which is consistent with Creswell’s (2009) depiction of qualitative research exploring the social and human significance of phenomena.

The key difference between these questions is that the quantitative version emphasizes measurement, relationships, and statistical analysis, while the qualitative version prioritizes depth, context, and personal meaning. Both approaches contribute valuable insights into the complex phenomenon of pain, but each does so through distinct lenses—one more objective and numeric, the other more subjective and interpretive.

In conclusion, choosing between a quantitative or qualitative research question depends on the research objectives. When the goal is to identify measurable relationships or test hypotheses, a quantitative approach is suitable. Conversely, to understand experiences, perceptions, or social contexts, qualitative inquiry provides richer, more detailed insights. Relevant to Creswell’s (2009) framework, integrating both perspectives can offer a comprehensive understanding of health-related issues like pain, ultimately informing better patient care and intervention strategies.

References

  • Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
  • Boyatzis, R. E. (1998). Transforming qualitative information: Thematic analysis and code development. Sage.
  • Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage.
  • Charmaz, K. (2014). Constructing grounded theory. Sage.
  • Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research & evaluation methods. Sage.
  • Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. Wolters Kluwer.
  • Silverman, D. (2016). Qualitative research. Sage.
  • Neuman, W. L. (2014). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Pearson.
  • Johnson, R. B., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Mixed methods research: A research paradigm whose time has come. Educational researcher, 33(7), 14-26.
  • Spradley, J. P. (1979). The ethnographic interview. Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

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