Qualitative and quantitative research approaches are the two main paradigms used in nursing research. Qualitative research explores phenomena through interviews and observations to understand experiences, while quantitative research tests hypotheses through statistical analysis of numerical data to quantify relationships. Mixed methods research incorporates both approaches. The choice of approach depends on the research question and objectives. Both help nurses determine best practices for patient care.

1. Qualitative and Quantitative
Research Approaches
Okumu A
BNS, MUST

2. Nursing Research
• Nursing research aims to generate knowledge and evidence to
improve patient care, nursing practices, and healthcare
outcomes.
• Qualitative and quantitative approaches are the two main
paradigms used in nursing research, each offering unique
methods and perspectives to address different research
questions.
• Quantitative and qualitative research are two types of evidence-
based practice (EBP) research that nurses use to evaluate the
best interventions for patients.

3. Qualitative Vs Quantitative Research
• Quantitative research tests hypotheses about the relationship
between variables using numerical data and statistical analysis.
• Qualitative research explores a phenomenon within a real-world
context using interviews, observation, and textual data.
• The data nurses collect from both types of research helps them
determine how to proceed with patient care1.

4. Qualitative Approaches
• Qualitative research is exploratory in nature and seeks to
understand the experiences, perspectives, and meanings
associated with a particular phenomenon.
• It researches into the subjective aspects of nursing care, aiming
to uncover underlying motivations, emotions, and beliefs.

5. Approaches to Qualitative Research
Some of the qualitative approaches used in nursing research
include
• grounded theory,
• phenomenology,
• ethnography,
• case study (can lend itself to mixed methods) and
• narrative analysis.

6. Sampling:
• Qualitative research typically uses purposive or purposeful
sampling, where participants are chosen based on their
relevance and ability to provide valuable information related to
the research question.

7. Qualitative data collection methods
• In-depth Interviews: Researchers conduct one-on-one
interviews with participants to gather detailed insights into their
experiences, feelings, and attitudes related to a particular
healthcare issue or intervention.
• Focus Groups: These involve group discussions with a small
number of participants who share their thoughts and opinions
about a specific topic, fostering interaction and idea generation.
• Observations: Researchers observe and document the
behavior and interactions of individuals or groups in real-life
clinical settings, allowing them to understand the context and
social dynamics.
• stories in the form of diaries or other2.

8. Validity and Reliability:
• Qualitative research focuses on establishing credibility,
transferability, dependability, and confirmability to ensure the
trustworthiness of the findings.

9. Qualitative Data Analysis:
• Content Analysis: This involves systematically examining
textual or visual data (interview transcripts, field notes, etc.) to
identify recurring themes and patterns.
• Thematic Analysis: Researchers identify and analyze themes
and patterns in the data to gain deeper insights into the
phenomenon under study.
• Grounded Theory: This approach involves developing a theory
or model from the data itself, allowing new concepts to emerge
from the observations and interviews.

10. Quantitative Approaches
• Quantitative research is characterized by its use of numerical
data and statistical analyses to measure and quantify
relationships between variables.
• It seeks to test hypotheses, identify patterns, and generalize
about a larger population.

11. Quantitative Data Collection Methods:
• Surveys/Questionnaires: Researchers use structured
questionnaires to collect data from a large number of
participants, enabling them to analyze trends and associations.
• Experiments: Controlled experiments are conducted to test the
effects of specific interventions or treatments on patient
outcomes.
• Chart Reviews: Researchers collect data from medical records
and databases to analyze trends and patterns in patient care
and outcomes.

12. Validity and Reliability:
Quantitative research focuses on establishing
• internal and external validity,
• reliability, and
• generalizability to ensure the accuracy and applicability of the
findings.

13. Quantitative Sampling:
• Random sampling is commonly used in quantitative research to
ensure that the sample is representative of the larger population
being studied.

14. Quantitative Data Analysis:
• Statistical Analysis: Researchers use various statistical tests
(e.g., t-tests, chi-square, regression analysis) to analyze the
data and draw conclusions about relationships between
variables.
• Meta-analysis: This involves combining and analyzing data
from multiple studies to generate more robust and generalizable
findings.

15. Mixed Methods Research
• In addition to qualitative and quantitative approaches, nursing
research may also employ mixed methods, which involve using
both qualitative and quantitative methods within a single study.
This approach allows researchers to benefit from the strengths
of both paradigms, providing a more comprehensive
understanding of the research question.

16. In conclusion
• Qualitative and quantitative approaches offer different lenses
through which nursing researchers can explore and understand
healthcare phenomena.
• The choice between these approaches depends on the specific
research question, the nature of the phenomenon under study,
and the overall research objectives.
• Regardless of the approach used, nursing research plays a
critical role in advancing evidence-based practice and
improving patient care.

17. References/ Further Reading
1. Creswell JW. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods
Approaches. 5th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications; 2018
2. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design:
Choosing Among Five Approaches. Sage Publications.
3.Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.). (2011). The Sage Handbook of Qualitative
Research. Sage Publications.
4.Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing
Evidence for Nursing Practice. Wolters Kluwer Health.
5.Munhall, P. L., & Oiler Boyd, C. (Eds.). (2012). Nursing Research: A Qualitative
Perspective. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
6.LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (Eds.). (2017). Nursing Research: Methods and
Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice. Elsevier.
7.Burns, N., & Grove, S. K. (Eds.). (2019). Understanding Nursing Research:
Building an Evidence-Based Practice. Elsevier.