Research Methods Overview

Overview

This lecture compares quantitative and qualitative research, outlines their differences, and details the main types of each research method.

Quantitative research is based on the positivist tradition, focusing on measurable data and statistical analysis.
Key characteristics of quantitative: collects numerical data, investigates variables, uses deductive reasoning, controlled conditions, and empirical evidence.
Conducted in both natural and controlled (laboratory) environments.
Qualitative research is based on naturalistic inquiry, aiming to understand experiences and meanings through rich descriptive data.
Key characteristics of qualitative: collects narratives, observations, and texts, investigates phenomena in depth, uses inductive reasoning, and values subjectivity.
Conducted primarily in real-life (field) settings.

Positivism (quantitative): knowledge is objective, universal, and measurable; researchers remain neutral; data analyzed statistically.
Constructivism (qualitative): knowledge is subjective and context-dependent; multiple realities exist; researchers interact closely with participants.

Quantitative answers "how many?" or "how much?"; measures variables and tests hypotheses with deductive reasoning.
Qualitative answers "how?" or "why?"; explores experiences and develops ideas through inductive reasoning.

Descriptive: describes characteristics or events; e.g., measuring stress levels among nursing students during exams.
Correlational: explores relationships between variables without manipulation; e.g., study time vs. exam scores.
Quasi-Experimental: examines effect of interventions without random assignment; e.g., testing new protocols in real-world settings.
Experimental: tests cause-and-effect with random assignment and control groups; e.g., new drug vs. placebo trials.

Phenomenological: explores lived experiences to understand personal perspectives; e.g., cancer survivors' experiences of hope.
Grounded Theory: generates theories based on social processes observed in data; e.g., how nurses cope with work stress.
Ethnographic: studies beliefs and behaviors of cultural groups through immersion; e.g., learning traditional health practices in a village.
Historical: examines past events and trends using documents and oral histories; e.g., nursing roles during World War I.
Case Study: in-depth analysis of a single case (individual, group, or event) in its real-life context; e.g., stroke patient recovery in a rural area.

Positivism — philosophy that emphasizes observable, measurable facts and objective reality.
Constructivism — philosophy that views knowledge as subjective and constructed from personal experiences.
Deductive Reasoning — process of testing hypotheses derived from general theories.
Inductive Reasoning — process of building generalizations from specific observations.
Variable — measurable feature or factor in research.
Random Assignment — randomly allocating participants to groups to ensure unbiased results.

Review examples of quantitative and qualitative research types.
Prepare to select a research approach for your upcoming nursing research project.