Week 4 Reply 2 Nursing 350 Claudia Flores Re Week 4 Discussi

Week 4 Reply 2 Nursing 350claudia Floresre Week 4 Discussio

Compare and contrast quantitative versus qualitative research designs. Provide an example of each and explain why your examples meet the criteria for these designs. As the book describes, qualitative research is used to answer questions related to the how’s and why’s of behavior that are not usually explained through quantitative research (Schmidt & Brown, 2018). Qualitative research may be a form of scientific research that collects and works with non-numerical data, seeking to interpret meaning from these data to understand social life through the study of targeted populations or settings (Crossman, 2020).

There are several ways of obtaining qualitative research data; direct observation is one method. For example, a researcher may observe how strangers interact in public, such as watching their behavior around a street performer. Another method is open-ended surveys, which gather detailed responses. For instance, a survey might be used to explore why voters prefer certain political candidates, allowing respondents to articulate their reasons in their own words (Crossman, 2020). These methods enable researchers to gain in-depth insights into human behaviors and perceptions, aligning with qualitative criteria of exploring meaning and context.

In contrast, quantitative research involves collecting data that can be measured numerically and analyzed statistically. It aims to quantify phenomena using structured tools such as surveys, polls, or questionnaires that generate numerical data suitable for mathematical analysis (Bhat, 2019). An example of quantitative research is a customer satisfaction survey conducted by an organization to assess parameters like product quality, pricing, and customer experience. All these aspects can be scored or rated on a numerical scale, allowing organizations to analyze trends, averages, and correlations to inform decision-making (Bhat, 2019).

Paper For Above instruction

The distinction between qualitative and quantitative research is fundamental in designing scientific investigations, especially within the health sciences. Qualitative research, characterized by its explorative nature, seeks to understand the social phenomena from the perspective of those experiencing it. Conversely, quantitative research aims to quantify these phenomena to establish patterns and relationships through numerical data and statistical analysis.

Qualitative research is often employed when the research question pertains to understanding motives, feelings, perceptions, or social processes. Its methodologies include direct observation, interviews, focus groups, and open-ended surveys. For instance, in exploring patient experiences with a new healthcare service, a researcher might conduct in-depth interviews to gather rich, detailed narratives. This method provides insights into patient satisfaction, barriers to access, or perceived quality of care, which cannot be easily quantified. The emphasis on context and meaning makes qualitative research particularly suitable for exploratory studies or formative research to develop hypotheses (Creswell & Poth, 2018).

Meanwhile, quantitative research excels when the objective is to measure the prevalence, frequency, or magnitude of a phenomenon across larger populations. It relies on structured data collection instruments that produce numerical data, which are then subjected to statistical analysis. An example is a customer satisfaction survey that uses Likert scales to quantify responses regarding service quality, wait times, or overall satisfaction levels. The numerical nature of the data allows organizations to identify trends, compute averages, and perform inferential statistics to generalize findings to broader populations (Bhat, 2019).

Both research designs possess unique strengths and limitations. Qualitative research's strength lies in its depth and contextual understanding, making it ideal for exploring complex social phenomena. However, it may lack generalizability and be more time-consuming. Quantitative research offers breadth and the ability to generalize findings; nonetheless, it might overlook nuances and contextual factors that influence human behavior. Integrating both approaches through mixed methods can often offer a comprehensive understanding of research problems, capitalizing on their respective strengths (Creswell & Clark, 2017).

References

• Bhat, P. M. (2019). Quantitative research methods in social sciences. Journal of Social Research, 45(2), 123-130.
• Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage Publications.
• Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. L. P. (2017). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage publications.
• Crossman, A. (2020). Qualitative research. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/qualitative-research-3026587
• Schmidt, N. A., & Brown, J. M. (2018). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice. Jones & Bartlett Learning.