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This article describes qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research. Various classifications of each research design, including specific categories within each research method, are explored. Attributes and differentiating characteristics, such as formulating research questions and identifying a research problem, are examined, and various research method designs and reasons to select one method over another for a research project are discussed.
Key Words: Qualitative research, quantitative research, mixed methods research, method design.
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 perceptions (Polit & Beck, 2012). Research itself has a few varieties that can be explained using analogies of making a cup of coffee or tea.
To make coffee, the amount of water and coffee grounds to be used must be measured. This precise measurement determines the amount of coffee and the strength of the brew. The key word in this quantitative research analogy is measure. To make tea, hot water must be poured over a tea bag in a mug. The length of time a person leaves a tea bag in the mug comes down to perception of the strength of the tea desired. The key word in qualitative research is perception. This article describes and explores the differences between quantitative (measure) and qualitative (perception) research.
Types of Research
Nursing research can be defined as a "systematic inquiry designed to develop trustworthy evidence about issues of importance to the nursing profession, including nursing practice, education, administration, and informatics" (Polit & Beck, 2012, p. 736). Researchers determine the type of research to employ based upon the research question being investigated. The two types of research methods are quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative research uses a rigorous and controlled design to examine phenomena using precise measurement (Polit & Beck, 2012). For example, a quantitative study may investigate a patient's heart rate before and after consuming a caffeinated beverage, like a specific brand/type of coffee. In our coffee and tea analogy, in a quantitative study, the research participant may be asked to drink a 12-ounce cup of coffee, and after the participant consumes the coffee, the researcher measures the participant's heart rate in beats per minute. Qualitative research examines phenomena using...