Abstract This paper is a review of qualitative nursing research methodology through the analysis of a qualitative nursing study. The paper reviews and critically analyzes statement of interest, purpose of study, research question, design, sample and setting, data collection and methodology, a brief comment on human rights, data analysis, findings, discussion, implication and conclusion and then a statement on the overall quality of the study and implications evident for the field of nursing.
From the Paper "The field of nursing is a caring profession - caring for the body and caring the for patient's emotional state. Nurses are on the front line and the one to respond to patients in need, whether by phone in a doctor's office or in answer to a call button in the hospital. Nursing research holds the solutions for what a nurse does or how they can be of help. Staying abreast of relevant, reliable and valid research is essential to the nursing profession; however, equally important is the ability to discern good research from bad. This paper presents an analysis of the qualitative nursing study: Isolation from 'Being Alive': Coping with severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy following the guidelines presented in class. Morning sickness is common during pregnancy."
Abstract This paper defines qualitative methods and quantitative methods. The author differentiates their uses. The paper assesses their suitability for use in human relations studies.
From the Paper "Research data may be evaluated through the application of either quantitative or qualitative analytical procedures. Quantitative approaches are more easily defined than are qualitative procedures because qualitative research may refer to either the way data are measured or the way such data are evaluated. A quantitative variable is one than can be measured numerically such as annual income. Quantitative data are produced by ordinal interval and ratio scales; while qualitative data are produced by nominal scales. Quantitative data ..."
Abstract The paper discusses nursing research protocol, defining, comparing and contrasting qualitative and quantitative research methodology and execution. The paper discusses the inherent risks involved in each form, such as numbers that can be interpreted according to the researcher's goals.
From the Paper "Nursing research is an exciting area of study for several reasons - first and foremost, nursing research provides the opportunity to learn and remain current in the various disciplines of nursing, and to expand nursing knowledge for those nurses skilled in one area into others based on self-study of nursing. The other reason for excitement is the opportunity to participate in research according to qualitative and/or quantitative nursing study protocols in order to facilitate learning and personal and professional growth for self and others through study publication. This paper will concentrate on qualitative and quantitative research designs with respect to nursing studies and present descriptions of each form, comparing and contrasting them, citing pros and cons of each style as appropriate or inappropriate for specific types of research."
Abstract The paper critically assesses two differing research methodologies; quantitative and qualitative as both form an important part of sociological examination although fundamental differences exist between them. The paper provides an outline of each method and the manner in which it is employed followed by an examination of the inherent differences between the two methodologies. The paper concludes with an assessment as to what advantages can be attained when the two opposite approaches are used in conjunction with one another.
From the Paper "Therefore, from such a basis it is possible to see how the two different methods employ differing criteria when examining social phenomena. Quantitative methodology relies heavily on measurable scientific data (Phillips, 1976; p. 102). As such, wide ranging data collection is a consistent feature of the quantitative approach. This would include data collection methods such as surveys and questionnaires. Interviews could also play an important role in quantitative research but such interviews would be heavily structured. A clear and unambiguous structure is vital to the methodology employed so that clearly definable scientific results can be offered. Given this, the quantitative approach requires as a prerequisite that the individual researcher or interviewer adopts an impartial and detached stance toward the research. (Bailey 1994; p. 136). Becoming heavily and directly involved in the research process could impact on the mathematical result and therefore negatively affect the reliability of the data."
Provides the definition and examination of qualitative research design, approaches, classifications, methods, strategies, techniques for collecting and analyzing data and criteria for judging the research study.
Abstract Qualitative research often implies multiple methodologies. In qualitative research the emphasis is more on veritable generalization of confidently established causal relationships from an examined group to a wider population. This paper defines and examines qualitative research design and other issues regarding research study.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Definition
Classification of Qualitative Research
Methods of Qualitative Research
Qualitative Research Strategies, Processes and Approaches
Techniques for Collecting and Analyzing Data
Criteria for Judging Qualitative Research
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Historically originating in the field of cultural anthropology (Vidich and Lyman, 1994), ethnographic approaches to social research have been applied in numerous fields: social and cultural anthropology, sociology, human geography, organization studies, educational research, and cultural studies. Ethnography and participant observation can be understood as the description of some group's culture from the group's perspective. One can identify different levels of involvement in participant observation: (1) complete observer; (2) observer as participant; (3) participant as observer; and (4) complete participant (Atkinson and Hammersly, 1994, p. 248)."
Abstract This paper discusses and contrasts qualitative research as opposed to quantitative research by reviewing two articles. The first article entitled "The Qualitative-Quantitative Debate" by A.K. Trochim argues that there is very little difference between the two types of research, despite the conflict, since all qualitative data can be coded quantitatively. S. Ferch also explores the difference between quantitative and qualitative research in the article "Quantitative versus Qualitative Research: An Attempt to Clarify the Problem." The writer feels the most insightful finding Ferch discovers is that research is conducted in the real world, and therefore often does not fit into the ideal paradigms of either/ or research methodology exactly. The reviewer concludes that the debate over qualitative versus quantitative is moot, since both authors found those who rely on qualitative measures must use quantitative measures in their analysis and vice versa.
Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review
Method
Results
Discussion
References
From the Paper "The researchers both used qualitative and quantitative methods for proving their point that neither research type can stand alone in the real world; however no data, other than their own experiential data was collected. Therefore, the sample size was considerably small. They used this data to generalize their unique findings to demonstrate the connectivity between the two methods."
Tags: research, methods, qualitative, research, quantitative, research
Abstract This paper focuses on qualitative research, beginning with a definition of what is meant by 'qualitative research' and 'organizations' and by establishing a context in which the paper's discussion on qualititave research takes place. The paper then identifies the approaches and tools of qualitative research and highlighta the advantages and disadvantages associated with each of these. The third part of the paper looks at the practical use and implementation of qualitative research methods in organizations, focusing on real-life examples and experiences. The last portion of the essay sums up the main points discussed.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Defining Qualitative Research and Organizations
Types and Methods of Qualitative Research
Qualitative Research in Organizations
Conclusion
From the Paper "Organizations may blend observational methods with an element of quantitative research to provide solutions to real-life questions such as timing how long it takes for a customer to complete a transaction, how shelf placement affects the sale of products, or deciding the number of checkout counters to operate by observing queue patterns. Reality TV is a recent phenomenon that turns TV viewers into observers - it allows viewers to observe foreign cultures and societies, and understand their behavior and emotions."
Tags: pattern ethnography, grounded theory, reflexivity, focus group
Abstract This paper describes qualitative interviewing as a research method. The paper presents major issues raised by various authors, researchers and practitioners on the use of qualitative interviewing as a method in policy evaluation. The paper examines whether qualitative interviewing is ideal for policy evaluation.
Outline
Overview
The Qualitative Interview Method
Scientific Inquiry and Qualitative Interviewing
Validity and Reliability in Qualitative Interviewing
Conclusion
From the Paper "On account of the above, features of qualitative interviews differ from the survey interviews usually used in quantitative research. A qualitative interview is a one-on-one conversation between the researcher and the interviewee about a specific topic (Rubin and Rubin, p. 4). Unlike surveys, the questions in a qualitative interview are not standardized, even if a researcher conducts multiple interviews on the same topic. The qualitative interviewer uses open-ended, unstructured or semi-structured questions to elicit in-depth, detailed information from the interviewee. The interviewer has the flexibility to pursue unanticipated lines of inquiry."
Abstract This paper discusses how the quantitative and qualitative designs should be adopted based on the design's appropriateness to the problem of the study. The paper explains how the dichotomy and differences between the qualitative and quantitative research designs led to the emergence of specific perceptions about each design. The paper contends that quantitative research is considered more scientific than qualitative, while the latter is considered more in-depth in acquiring information than the former. The paper states that while they differ in methodology and analysis, quantitative and qualitative research designs actually present two facets of a social phenomenon or action.
From the Paper "In the conduct of sociological research, the qualitative and quantitative research designs remain the predominant structures in which scientific studies on social phenomena are discovered, analyzed, and interpreted. However, the emergence of quantitative research design prior to the development of the qualitative design created a dichotomy in the field of social science research, wherein preferences for each research design emerged. This dichotomy had been the central focus of discussions and debates about social science research: quantitative research is commonly associated with rigid scientific methodology and analysis, while qualitative research is considered more intrusive and less rigid in terms of data collection and analysis."
Abstract The paper defines "qualitative research" and states that qualitative research methods were developed in the social sciences to enable researchers to study social and cultural phenomena. The paper gives examples of qualitative methods and states that the data is usually obtained via interviews and questionnaires etc. The paper explains the differences between qualitative analysis and quantitative inquiry and does a comparison between them. The paper concludes that the varying methods of research have differing degrees of viability and value for the researcher.
From the Paper " A qualitative method that is more concerned with the larger context is the ethnographic method. This method attempts to view the individual within the context of the whole social and cultural environment. Ethnography research initially originated from social and cultural anthropology. Ethnographers usually spend a great amount of time in the field and "... immerse themselves in the lives of the people they study and seek to place the phenomena studied in their social and cultural context" (Myers M. D.). Ethnography is also described as a method of qualitative analysis "... whereby multiple perspectives can be incorporated..." into the design of any analysis. (Myers M. D.) In essence this method begins with the study of culture rather than the individual."
Abstract This paper discusses the differences between quantifiable and qualitative research methodologies in psychology and the social sciences and examines their advantages and disadvantages. The author describes that qualitative methods tend to focus on meaning or discovery in the research design; whereas quantitative methods concentrate on establishing verifiable generalizations and correlations between predetermined variables. The author also discusses advantages and disadvantages of these methods and the numerous methods and methodologies that are used in each of the research designs. In addition, the paper gives examples of instances in which each research methodology was used.
Contents:
Qualitative and Quantitative Research Designs
Introduction
Comparing Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methodology
General Overview
A Brief Comparison of Research Designs
Analysis and Conclusion
References
From the Paper "It is not the purpose of this paper to deal with the competing theories and their relationship to research methodologies but rather to focus on the different reasons for choosing between quantifiable and qualitative methodologies in psychology and the social sciences in terms of their advantages and disadvantages. However, the underlying theoretical preferences and beliefs play an important part in the choice of the different research methodologies and thus should be kept in mind throughout the following discussion."
Abstract This paper focuses on research that is deemed qualitative in design and explains how qualitative research reports are brought to fruition. The components of the qualitative research report are presented in the paper along with a brief description for each component.
From the Paper "To assist the reader in better understanding the nature of a qualitative research report the following guideline is offered for easy report formulation and writing. Before presenting an outline describing the components of an effective qualitative research report the reader is advised to remember that the quality of a qualitative research report is deeply embedded in the notion that qualitative research report writing is an ongoing learning process and very much a social act for reader and writer (Ely, Vinz, Anzul & Downing, M. 1997). As such the qualitative research report must, at all times, be an above adequate research report that effective explains the phenomenon being researched as well as to persuade the reader as to research efficacy and results. "
Abstract This paper is a brief description of a qualitative research proposal for use in education. The qualitative research process holds invaluable information for researchers who seek to identify trends in the literature. Qualitative research is invaluable as it helps synthesize the existing data from quantitative studies with the perceptions of those who have been directly affected by the topic of study.
From the Paper "This implies that the exploration of data is supported by the first-hand observations of those who are affected in some manner by the topic of study, and presents a more personal and more realistic summation of why the study is justified and why change needs to be accomplished in order to aid the affected population. In the current proposed study, the qualitative research design will be a synthesis of existing literature on the topic of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA)."
Abstract The paper examines and compares quantitative and qualitative research techniques. The researcher weighs the relative merits and demerits of each, providing interpretation of the potential applications of qualitative and quantitative research to various fields of study. The paper concludes that researchers will have to decide on their approach, meaning whether they prefer to observe data in a naturalistic manner and derive theory from data, or whether they prefer to test a given hypothesis, to assume a qualitative or quantitative position.
From the Paper "It is vital when noting the legitimacy of qualitative data that one explore the potential problems associated with the validity of quantitative data. Neither qualitative nor quantitative techniques are free from issues regarding reliability and credibility. It is important that researchers acknowledge the potential for variances even when using experimental methods. At best to provide support for qualitative research, researchers should consider using multiple methods approaches, often referred to as "triangulation" or mixed method approaches, to help confirm the reliability and validity of the research data collected (Benz & Newman, 1998)."
Tags: phenomenological, assumptions, purpose, approach, research, role
Abstract This paper analyzes qualitative research methods and compares it to the methods used in quantitative research. The paper specifically focuses on two articles which discuss food safety and correct handling procedures - "Food-Handlers' Beliefs and Self-Reported Practices" by D.A. Clayton, C.J. Griffith, P. Price and A.C. Peters and "Factors Impacting Food Workers' and Managers' Safe Food Preparation Practices: A Qualitative Study", by L.R. Green and C. Selman. This paper compares the methods used in each articles and discusses what makes one quantitative and one qualitative in its methods.
From the Paper "Qualitative research has grown somewhat in the last several years, as new ideas have been tried and expanded upon (Wolcott, 1995). This is significant for many individuals that are working on research projects today, because qualitative research has become much more widely used and also much more widely respected than it was in the past. Social science areas of research have used and respected qualitative methods for some time, but it has not been that long ago that other areas of research started becoming more involved with the qualitative method as well (Denzin & Lincoln, 2000). The quantitative method is still very necessary for many of the areas of research that are seen today, as statistics are necessary, but the move toward more qualitative areas of research is significant and worth noting (Wolcott, 1995; Flyvbjerg, 2006; Denzin & Lincoln, 2000)."
