Nurses have to participate in research so that they can identify and solve problems that are relevant to nursing. There are two main types of techniques used for research; quantitative and qualitative. The purpose of this paper is to critique two research articles, one quantitative and one mixed method, contrast the information gained from the articles, and to provide insight on the different research techniques.
Compare and Contrast Information
Quantitative research is usually collected through a specific established strategy that obtains specific data. The information that is gathered for quantitative study is mainly numeric where a precise measurement is done and analyzed statistically. On other hand, qualitative research is mainly focused on understanding of human experiences. Qualitative information is usually in the form of a narrative (Bryman, 2017).
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The first study selected was quantitative research. The study made use of a clear design by making use of surveys and questionnaires to gather data regarding vaccination of individuals that were above age 65. The numerical information about the participants was gathered and tabulated in four different tables. The number of patients that had received influenza vaccine and those that had not received influenza vaccine was tabulated. A numerical comparison was made on the two populations based on the socioeconomic status, lifestyle characteristics, and health interventions (Hellfritzsch et al., 2017).
The second study carried out its analysis through a mixed method analysis. The study involved an analysis of influenza vaccination beliefs and practices among the elderly primary care patients. However, the final conclusion was qualitative in nature. Quantitative data was carried out through identifying number of participants that gave specific responses to questions. Qualitative data was employed where the final conclusion was displayed in a narrative format. The conclusion also further revealed human behavior where it showed that there is a relationship between positive and negative past experiences about vaccination and the receipt of the vaccine (Rikin, 2018).
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Research Approach
Each of the given research designs is conducted in different ways. The quantitative study that was conducted by Hellfritzsch et al. (2017) focused on a comparison between vaccinated and unvaccinated elderly above 65 years on issues such as lifestyle, socioeconomic, and health. The study that was conducted by Rikin (2018), focused on a comparison between vaccinated and unvaccinated elderly above 65 years on their perceptions, beliefs, and practices of vaccination.
One advantage of the quantitative research is that the researcher can measure and analyze the data. Relationships that exist between dependent and independent variables can be easily observed and studied. It allows for objectivity and a greater degree of accuracy in the results. The research by Hellfritzsch et al., (2017) observed that obesity was 15% among vaccinated and 14% among unvaccinated. Heart disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes was numerically proven to be more frequent among vaccinated group. The group had a CCI score of greater than one of 51$ while it was 36% among unvaccinated individuals. The advantage is that one could distinctively look at the data and identify the margins and variations in the data.
The disadvantage of quantitative study is that it is mainly used in the laboratory under tight conditions and measuring human behavior in a natural setting can be difficult. For instance, in the given quantitative study by Hellfritzsch et al., (2017), one of the limitations that was identified in the study was that the use of self-reports from questionnaires could lead to errors and bias. Survey instruments could be lead to errors and questionnaires from respondents could be biased.
One advantage of a qualitative study is that it can be used to probe about intricate social phenomenon through the use of structured interviews, observations, and case studies. The given study by Rikin et al., (2019) capitalized the advantages by providing a proper understanding of the relationship between vaccination and the beliefs and practices among elderly adults.
Qualitative design has the disadvantage of taking a lot of time to complete, the transcription of interviews. Qualitative findings have also been dismissed because they seem to lack numeric data and scientific controls. For the study by Rikin et al., (2019), the researchers spent a lot of time interviewing various participants. Additionally, the final conclusion of the study shows that there is simply a relationship between vaccination and beliefs. The conclusion simply affirms the statement without relying on numerical data.
Justifying the Research Method
Qualitative methods are helpful in the scientific field because they can be used to explain phenomenon. While quantitative data only provides an analysis of the phenomenon that exists, qualitative study provides an explanation of why the phenomenon exists. According to Rust et al., (2017), qualitative methods are used to gain a better understanding of complex problems in areas that have not been well researched. The given study of Rikin (2012), provides a better understanding to the phenomenon of why many elderly patients do not opt for influenza vaccination.
Conclusion
Quantitative and qualitative research designs offer significant information that can be used to advance the scientific world. Both types of research designs have their advantages and disadvantages. While quantitative research gathers accurate information about a certain topic, qualitative research would can be used to explain human behavior that is difficult to understand. Qualitative research method can be categorized as a scientific research technique because it is used to provide explanation of scientific phenomenon.
References
Bryman, A. (2017). Quantitative and qualitative research: further reflections on their integration. In Mixing methods: Qualitative and quantitative research (pp. 57-78). Routledge.
Hellfritzsch, M., Thomsen, R. W., Baggesen, L. M., Larsen, F. B., Sørensen, H. T., & Christiansen, C. F. (2017). Lifestyle, socioeconomic characteristics, and medical history of elderly persons who receive seasonal influenza vaccination in a tax-supported healthcare system. Vaccine , 35 (18), 2396-2403.
Rikin, S., Scott, V., Shea, S., LaRussa, P., & Stockwell, M. S. (2018). Influenza vaccination beliefs and practices in elderly primary care patients. Journal of community health , 43 (1), 201-206.
Rust, N. A., Abrams, A., Challender, D. W., Chapron, G., Ghoddousi, A., Glikman, J. A., ... & Sutton, A. (2017). Quantity does not always mean quality: The importance of qualitative social science in conservation research. Society & natural resources , 30 (10), 1304-1310.
