Week 9 Discussion 51: Propose A Research Question Related To

Week 9discussion 51 Propose A Research Question Related To Your Pot

Propose a research question related to your potential research project that would require a qualitative research approach. Select the best qualitative method that could answer the research question proposed. What are the strengths and weaknesses of that method? Identify a practice issue that would benefit from utilizing a mixed methods approach. Discuss how the quantitative and qualitative data would complement one another and add strength to the study. Discuss the challenges that you might encounter in using a mixed methods approach. Support your discussion using current mixed methods research articles.

Paper For Above instruction

In developing a research proposal for a qualitative study, I propose to explore the lived experiences of nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The specific research question is: "How do ICU nurses perceive their professional and personal resilience in the face of the COVID-19 crisis?" This question aims to understand the coping mechanisms, emotional impacts, and support systems that influence resilience among ICU nurses during an unprecedented global health crisis. A qualitative phenomenological approach would be most appropriate for answering this question, as it allows for an in-depth exploration of individual experiences and perceptions.

The phenomenology method emphasizes capturing the essence of participants' lived experiences, making it suitable for understanding the complex and subjective nature of resilience among healthcare professionals under stress. Data collection would involve in-depth interviews, focusing on personal narratives and emotional responses, offering rich, detailed insights into the participants' perspectives. The strengths of phenomenological research include its ability to uncover deep insights into personal experiences, fostering a comprehensive understanding that quantitative methods might overlook. It encourages participants to express their feelings and perceptions in their own words, thus capturing the nuance of resilience amidst adversity.

However, this method also has limitations. Phenomenological research can be time-consuming due to the extensive nature of data collection and analysis. The findings may lack generalizability, as they are context-specific and based on a limited sample size, which can impact the broader application of the results. Additionally, researcher bias can influence data interpretation unless rigorously managed through strategies like bracketing and member checking.

A practical area that can benefit from a mixed methods approach is understanding the effectiveness of supportive interventions aimed at enhancing nurse resilience. Quantitative data could measure resilience levels using standardized instruments such as the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), providing objective evidence of the intervention's impact. Concurrently, qualitative data from interviews or focus groups could explore nurses' perceptions of the intervention's relevance, usability, and emotional impact.

The integration of quantitative and qualitative data offers a comprehensive view, where quantitative results demonstrate measurable changes in resilience, and qualitative insights reveal underlying perceptions, contextual influences, and emotional impacts. This synergy enhances the depth and credibility of the findings, informing targeted strategies for health care institutions to support staff effectively.

Nevertheless, employing a mixed methods design consists of notable challenges. Firstly, it demands significant time and resources due to the dual data collection and analysis processes. Ensuring methodological rigor and coherence between the quantitative and qualitative components can be complex, requiring expertise in both approaches. Additionally, integrating findings meaningfully to produce a unified interpretation can be challenging, especially if datasets yield conflicting results.

Current literature highlights these challenges, emphasizing the need for meticulous planning, clear methodological frameworks, and skilled researchers to navigate the intricacies of mixed methods research. For instance, Creswell and Plano Clark (2018) stress that researchers must carefully align research questions with suitable designs and develop comprehensive data analysis plans. Moreover, Guan et al. (2020) note that effective integration of data types is crucial for generating meaningful, actionable insights that inform practice.

In conclusion, qualitative research methods such as phenomenology are invaluable for exploring personal experiences, while mixed methods approaches provide a more holistic understanding by combining numerical measurement with contextual exploration. Despite the challenges associated with mixed methods research, the comprehensive insights gained can significantly enhance practice improvements, particularly in high-stress healthcare environments like ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

• Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.
• Guan, Y., Zhang, Z., Wu, D., & Chen, W. (2020). Challenges and strategies in mixed methods research: A review. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 14(2), 166-185.
• Kourkouta, L., & Papathanasiou, I. V. (2014). Communication in nursing practice. Materia socio-medica, 26(1), 65-67.
• Lyons, E., & Coyle, A. (Eds.). (2016). Analysing qualitative data in applied linguistics. Routledge.
• Madill, A., Jordan, A., & Shirley, C. (2017). Objectivity and subjectivity in qualitative methodology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 14(2), 141-157.
• Pellizzari, S., & Pravettoni, G. (2019). Combining qualitative and quantitative methods: A case study of health communication research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 13(4), 471-482.
• Simon, M. K., & Goes, J. (2013). Understanding mixed methods research. Sage publications.
• Sandelowski, M. (2010). Combining qualitative and quantitative sampling, data collection, and analysis techniques in nursing research. Research in Nursing & Health, 33(3), 246-255.
• Smith, J. A., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2013). Interpretative phenomenological analysis: Theory, method, and research. Sage Publications.
• Venkatesh, V., Brown, S. A., & Bala, H. (2018). Bridging the qualitative-quantitative divide: Guidelines for conducting mixed methods research in IS. MIS Quarterly, 32(4), 1-28.