NR 505 Discussion Qualitative Design and Sampling

Research is categorized as quantitative or qualitative in nature. Quantitative research employs the use of numbers and accuracy while qualitative research focuses on lived experiences and human perception (Rutberg & Bouikidis, 2018). There are some advantages and disadvantages to both forms of research queries. The common goal of both is to conclude with positive, well-designed results that promotes change or introduces an intervention that is accurate and useful.

Control over Study Conditions Research Approach: Advantage

Quantitative

One advantage with the control over study conditions with quantitative research approach is the way the data is collected. One form of research method that is used is the use of surveys for collection of data. With the use of surveys, data can be analyzed in an easy and fast manner, therefore consumption of time is less. The quantitative research approach consists of less time consumption, which allows a large amount of data to be collected.

Qualitative

Qualitative research allows gathering of more in-depth data. Its use of in-depth, one-on-one interviews allows gaining a better understanding of collected data, thus allowing a better understanding of complex situations (Rutberg & Boukidis, 2018).

Control over Study Conditions Qualitative Research Approach: Disadvantage

Quantitative

A disadvantage with the control over study conditions with quantitative research approach is that research is less in-depth. The observation of collected data and pertinent information can be overlooked with this form of research. The results can become vague and useless to the research. This may cause a waste of time and resources, if the data is not reviewed for the intended outcome and accuracy.

Qualitative

A disadvantage of qualitative is its low credibility due to an inability to quantify predictors (Rutberg & Bouikidis, 2018). For example, the inability to give percentages of an unwarranted event’s chance of reoccurrence in the future.

Extending or Generalizing results from a sample or larger group or population with quantitative research approach:

Advantage:

Because quantitative research uses a larger population, a larger volume of data is collected, a broader study can be made with more subjects to be reviewed, thus allowing more generalization to occur (Rutberg & Boukidis, 2018).

Disadvantage:

The results are based on quantity and most participants will not offer much insight into their thoughts, causing a lack of reliable context (Rutberg & Boukidis, 2018).

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Extending or Generalizing results from a sample or larger group or population with qualitative research approach:

Advantage:

Qualitative usually collects data through one –on –one interviews, focus groups, and discussions (Rutberg & Boukidis, 2018). The sample sizes are smaller allowing for a more in-depth collection of data to be utilized for research.

Disadvantage:

The use of a smaller sample size makes it difficult for this research method to generalize the results of the qualitative study.

Reference

Rutberg, S., & Boukidis, C.D. (2018). Exploring the Evidence. Focusing on the Fundamentals: A Simplistic Differentiation Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 45(2), 209-213

Control over Study Conditions Research Approach: Advantage

Quantitative

Qualitative

Control over Study Conditions Qualitative Research Approach: Disadvantage

Quantitative

Qualitative

Extending or Generalizing results from a sample or larger group or population with quantitative research approach:

Advantage:

Disadvantage:

The results are based on quantity and most participants will not offer much insight into their thoughts, causing a lack of reliable context (Rutberg & Boukidis, 2018).

Extending or Generalizing results from a sample or larger group or population with qualitative research approach:

Advantage:

Disadvantage:

The use of a smaller sample size makes it difficult for this research method to generalize the results of the qualitative study.

Reference

When looking at qualitative research and quantitative research we will be looking at the advantage and disadvantage in some areas.When looking at quantitative research and the control over the study conditions on advantage would be that with quantitative they “use objective methods designed to control the research situation with the goal of minimizing bias and maximizing validity” (Polit & Beck, 2017). One disadvantage to quantitative research and control over the study conditions would be that maybe they keep the area of study to narrow and don’t allow them selves to expand research further on a given area of interest.

When looking at the qualitative research approach and the control over study conditions that are an advantage would be that one area of research could lead to another area of interest and study and can be expanded upon and are more flexible. A disadvantage of using qualitative research approach is that this type of study usually involves a small group of people there for not including a wide range for details and statistics in groups.

Extending or generalizing results from a sample to a larger group or population with the quantitative research approach advantages would be that it tries to quantify a problem and understand how prevalent it can be by looking for project-able results to a larger population(Polit & Beck, 2017). A disadvantage to this would be that the population or group is to large to obtain accurate results or statistics to produce the results of the study.

Extending or generalizing results from a sample to a larger group or population with the qualitative research approach advantages could be that there are now new studies and guidelines that one can follow for this approach, they can be that new insights are gained and new questions emerge on the area of interest and maybe a larger group to study (Smith, Gelling, Haigh, Barnason, Allan, & Jackson, 2017). A disadvantage would be that if it is a larger group or similar sample then they could possibly arrive at the same conclusions or similar information and the study would not progress.

Polit, D. F. & Beck, C. T. (2017). Essentials of nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia PA: Wolters Kluwer Health. Retrieved from e-book electronic source. Smith, G. D., Gelling, L., Haigh, C., Barnason, S., Allan, H., & Jackson, D. (2017). The position of reporting guidelines in qualitative nursing research. Journal Of Clinical Nursing, 27(5-6), 889-891.Retrieved from https://eds-a-ebscohost-com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/eds/detail/detail?vidLinks to an external site.

Data saturation is the terminology used to describe the point in a study when enough data has been acquired to replicate the study when no additional new information is attainable, and when further coding is no longer possible is an interesting concept. According to Fusch & Ness (2015), the failure to reach data saturation affects the research quality and impeded the validity of the content. The design a qualitative research study should address the number of interviews required to reach data saturation. Fusch & Ness (2015) argue that data saturation can be difficult to quantify because there is no set formula that fits every project because study designs are not universal. Furthermore, “when and how one reaches those levels of saturation will vary from study design to study design” (Fusch & Ness, 2015, p.1409).

As I stated at the beginning of this post, data saturation is quite the interesting subject matter to me especially in regards to the qualitative research methods. Some of the more common methods of data collection include interviews, surveys and focus group sessions (Fusch & Ness, 2015). Conducting these methods in the research subjects natural habit would tend to leave room for the conversations to evolve and change depending on the participants’ mood and the answers provided at the time the interview or focus group took place. Fusch, P. I., & Ness, L. R. (2015). Are we there yet? data saturation in qualitative research. The Qualitative Report, 20(9), 1408-1416. Retrieved from https://chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/docview/1721368991?accountid=147674

In the past two weeks, I have learned a lot more about the purposes to quantitative and qualitative research designs. I personally find qualitative approach formats easier to comprehend than quantitative approach formats. I also like that qualitative research includes five methodologies: Narrative research, Phenomenology research, Grounded theory research, Ethnographic research, Case study research (Lewis, 2015). If followed properly, each method should be used in conjunction with each other when conducting research (lewis, 2015). This is only one type of mixed methods approach that allows researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding or broader perspective about the research topic (Lewis, 2015). When the quantitative method is presented in scholarly and scientific essays and articles, I get consumed by the numbers and tend to lose focus on what the research statistics are telling me about a scientific hypothesis or research problem. I see the merit in using both designs separately to relay specific information about a research findings and topics. I think it is more beneficial to use a mixed methods research design that uses both quantitative and qualitative methods– when reporting, analyzing, and finding background information and data. Mixed method designs answer the hows and whys, as well as provide the statistics to back up research findings (Lewis, 2015).

Reference

Lewis, S. (2015). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Health Promotion Practice, 16(4), 473-475. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839915580941

In qualitative research, transferability is commonly linked with generalizability. In quantitative research, transferability is synonymous with external validity. Transferability is needed to provide readers with evidence to apply the study’s findings to other contexts like real-world situations and populations. Leung (2015) states researcher should not try to prove the study’s findings are applicable; instead, the researcher may want to focus on providing the evidence that proves it “could” be applicable.

One suggestion that Leung (2015) makes to establish transferability references early researchers’ Lincoln and Guba’s (1985) recommendation of providing “thick description” of the research data. Thick description is a technique that allows qualitative researchers to provide a detailed account of their experiences during the data collection phases. This allows the researcher to make clear correlations to the cultural and social contexts that influence the data collection (Leung, 2015). Mentioning or keeping into account all aspects of data collection helps provide a deeper or fuller understanding of research settings (Leung, 2015). Transferability then becomes a judgement call. Meaning if I were reviewing a qualitative study and wanted to transfer or generalize those results to another study the context of the reviewed qualitative study must be considered. For example, I should examine what participants have expressed to the researcher and the context of their statements in the social and cultural environments the research study is framed around.

Reference:

Leung, L. (2015). Validity, reliability, and generalizability in qualitative research. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 4(3), 324–327. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.4103/2249-4863.161306

NR 505 Discussion Qualitative Design and Sampling