Qualitative methods in nursing research generatescomprehensive evidence for nursing practice. The qualitative framework answers questions of why, how, and what in explaining phenomenon. In particular, qualitative nursing research uses phenomenology, qualitative description, ethnography, and grounded theory. Grounded theory offers explanation for a process while phenomenology gives meaning to an occurrence. Qualitative description offers themes and conceptual frameworks to offer interpretive explanation to link to past and future research ( Bradshaw, Atkinson, & Doody, 2017).On the other hand, ethnography uncovers health practices and beliefs to improve nurse’s judgements during care. The qualitative method offers shared experience to reveal how the context changes the outcome. Therefore, nurses using qualitative techniques gain insight into patient needs to inform etiology-specific practice. Through concrete application of qualitative findings, nurses design algorithms, standard care, clinical guidelines, and instrumental intervention protocols.
Secondly, quantitative research method in nursing offers evidence based solutions based on objective framework (Rutberg &Bouikidis, 2018). The quantified information collected from study accurately portrays frequency of occurrence and specific characteristics of situations and people. Through questionnaires, self-reporting, observations, and biophysical techniques quantitative nursing research offers systematic investigation. In applied nursing research, quantitative methods enable descriptive and hypothesis driven inquiry. Descriptive studies examine existing patterns and trends that help to monitor and plan health processes.Hypothesis driven methods include observational and experimental studies that test the association between two variables to evaluate a hypothesis. Variables in nursing often include treatment as an intervention and the outcome.
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Thirdly, the mixed method in nursing research involves the use of both quantitative and qualitative data in the same study. Through applying the potential strengths of both techniques, nursing practitioners can uncover causal relationships and develop diverse perspectives in care ( Chiang-Hanisko, Newman, Dyess, Piyakong, &Liehr, 2016). Through using the explanatory sequential method, the quantitative data is collected first and qualitative data collected is used to explain it. In an exploratory style, qualitative data is collected first to inform decisions on designing the qualitative data set. Parallel collection and integration of data ensures that the researchers develop diverse perspectives to inform decisions on care. The other value of mixed methods is the nested technique where one method is embedded into the other to further explain trends and patterns in healthcare.
Why is the Mixed Method suited to Nursing?
The mixed method is particularly suited to nursing because it explores the complexity of contemporary healthcare practices across diverse settings. The mixed approach has a comparatively increased accuracy while offering detailed interpretation of results. The data accuracy comes from the validation of findings from qualitative and quantitative results. The use of parallel constructs, separate analysis, and using side by side comparisons ensures solid conclusion. The technique offers a deeper understanding of the contradictions or connections in the qualitative and quantitative data generated. Therefore, nurses in research can draw conclusions about the proposed interventions.
Mixed methods also offer participants in owning the research process which leads to increased sharing of vital information. Nursing scholars get the chance to interact and enrich their study experience through illuminating feedback from respondents. Qualitative focus group discussions that follow quantitative data collection help nurses to understand the importance of personal experiences in accepting empirical interventions. In turn, the study investigators explain the use of quantitative data collection in collecting measurable variables that determine the scope of the phenomena. Therefore, the technique offers a multidimensional approach which improves healthcare outcomes.
The mixed approach also involve community based stakeholders because it is a participatory approach to research. Evidence suggests that community centered approaches offer sustainable solutions in community health issues. The variety of quantitative and qualitative faces significantly impact on brining visible change. The involvement of nurses, primary care providers, families, patients, and other disciplines provides an input into their needs. Therefore, integrating multidimensional solutions fosters scholarly interaction and reflect respondent’s perceptions. Researchers can apply methodological flexibility to adapt to various study designs. The collection of rich and comprehensive data also produces complete stories.
Why I chose the Mixed Method for my Research?
The mixed method is the most appropriate for myresearch because it shall strengthen the breadth and understanding on incidence of falls among elderly patients. The parallel mixed method shall enable me to apply both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The dependent variable is the fall prevention which increases or decreases. The independent variable, the elderly remains constant in this study. The quantitative approach in the mixed framework can measure the incidence of falls. The integrated qualitative approach measures the behavior and attitudes of elderly patients that increased the fall risk. Measuring the perception of the elderly adults in the mitigation efforts implemented also ensures that care considers the context. Mixed technique also ensures that I capture influencing factors such as alcohol intake, arthritis, lack of palliative care. Mixed methods has the ability of capturing crucial data towards prognostic, diagnostic, and etiological processes. Qualitative and quantitative inquisition into the medical and nutritional concepts also help improve the health status of patients.
In capturing exercise as a solution that also possess risk to falling, the data generated can capture contraindications between the qualitative and quantitative results showing progress. Comparative evaluation of the use of mineral enhancing verses hip protection depends on the mixed method technique. Evaluating the environmental barriers requires application of qualitative description alongside quantitative analysis of the level of muscle weakness. The costs of implementing intervention programs for prevention of falls are affected by mixed method study outcome. Capturing their attitude and behavior also creates a platform for feedback on the effect of quality care. Qualitative results help practitioners to design the intervention to explore how participants experience the improve treatment models.
References
Bradshaw, C., Atkinson, S., & Doody, O. (2017). Employing a qualitative description approach in health care research. Global qualitative nursing research, 4, 2333393617742282.
Chiang-Hanisko, L., Newman, D., Dyess, S., Piyakong, D., &Liehr, P. (2016). Guidance for using mixed methods design in nursing practice research. Applied Nursing Research, 31, 1-5.
Rutberg, S., &Bouikidis, C. D. (2018). Focusing on the fundamentals: A simplistic differentiation between qualitative and quantitative research. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 45(2), 209-213.
