QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH 1

Quantitative and Qualitative Research

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Quantitative and Qualitative Research

The nursing study is essential in introducing or improving the existing evidence in

practice. When conducting research, there are two methods that a researcher can apply, which

include quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Each study method is applicable

depending on the research purpose and data used. While the two methods are important in

nursing research, quantitative methods focus on expressing findings in graphical and

numerical format (England, 2021). Mostly, it is applied to test or confirm an assumption or

theory, helping establish generalizable facts. On the other hand, qualitative methods involve

the expression of findings in words and explanations (England 2021). Therefore, it is applied

in understanding thoughts, experiences, and concepts.

Quantitative methods use large statistical data, which is essential for the

generalization of results as the data provide a representation idea of the entire population.

This is one of the advantages of using quantitative methods, but they also offer reliability as

the research can be repeated (England, 2021). However, this method has limitations,

including the fact that it involves variable manipulation and data is not collected in natural

settings. Qualitative studies also exhibit strengths and weaknesses, with the advantage being

that they provide in-depth and detailed information about a phenomenon. It provides

comprehensive information about an issue or a phenomenon. While this may be a strength, it

is also a weakness in that the study method provides more than useful information. In some

instances, a mixed-method that involves qualitative and quantitative designs is adopted

(Groove et al., 2015). These are used where the qualitative or quantitative method does not

explore all the issues that need investigation, promoting a mixed research approach.
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References

England, A. (2021). Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods. In Research for Medical

Imaging and Radiation Sciences (pp. 71-96). Springer, Cham.

Grove, S., Gray, J., & Burns, N. (2015). Understanding Nursing Research, 6th Edition.