Article Analysis Essay on Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Introduction

The paper intends to analyze the information obtained from two articles. The articles are Training Nursing Skills: a Quantitative Study of Nursing Students' Experiences before and after Clinical Practice and a Qualitative Study of Nursing Student Experiences of Clinical Practice. Towards this end, the paper will delve into the differences of the information contained therein and the variation in approaches used in both studies. Evidently, the first article utilizes quantitative research approach (that mainly relies on numerical data to form hypothesis and to draw conclusion) while the latter article relies on qualitative research (that is exploratory in nature since the objective is to gain an understanding on the reasons that inform opinions and motivations behind certain phenomena). Essentially, the paper intends to use the information in the two identified articles to analyze qualitative and quantitative research designs.

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Qualitative Research

Qualitative research mainly applies exploratory research designs. The main reason or objective of such kind of research is to ensure that the researcher and by extension the future audience gain insight into motivations, opinions, and reasons by behind certain actions. For example, the aim of the study under discussion (a Qualitative Study of Nursing Student Experiences of Clinical Practice) is to investigate the experiences of the student nurses within their clinical practice. The research develops the right hypothesis that is essential for carrying out quantitative research. Evidently, qualitative research acts as the foundation or the basis for the quantitative research (Sharif & Masoumi, 2015). It is necessary when a study intends to establish the existing trends and understanding the problem. For example, the article intends to get better understanding of the problems that nursing students undergo in the course of their practice and then recommend ways to solve the problems. Finally, qualitative research depends on semi-structured and unstructured methods of data collection techniques. For instance, the study under discussion relied mainly on focus groups to obtain student experiences and opinion on clinical practice.

Quantitative Research

The objective of any quantitative research is to examine a problem by generating numerical data or data that can be converted into interpretable statistics. For example, in the article, Training Nursing Skills: a Quantitative Study of Nursing Students' Experiences before and after Clinical Practice, the study sample 160 student nurses and the divided them randomly into two groups. The study then issued toe sets questionnaires within a six-month interval after different training classes to gauge experience based on each session and the knowledge gained by the students (Solvik & Struksnes, 2018). In essence, the objective of the research is to quantify behaviors, attitudes, opinions, and other defined variables. In retrospect, it uses measurable data to create facts and discover patterns that emerge within a period of study. For example, the study presented data for interpretation based on the sampled opinions of the student nurses after different training sessions. Finally, the methods of data collection are normally structured and that is why the study relied mainly on questionnaires to get the students opinions.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Qualitative Research

Qualitative research has various advantages. It provides the opportunity for the valuation of subject materials with greater degree of details. Since it focuses less on the on the metrics of the data in question. Secondly, the research framework tends to be fluid depending on the variable or incoming data. Finally, the data available for qualitative research normally depends on verifiable human observations and experiences. On the other hand, it also has many limitations. First, the quality of the data gathered cannot be used for conclusive inference since it is subject to various factors that include human emotions and the state of the mind at the time of the research. Secondly, it is difficult, close to impossible to demonstrate the data rigidity. Finally, the findings are often valuable but hard to present due to the lack of numerical composition.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Quantitative Research

Quantitative research has many advantages. First, it allows for the formulation of hypotheses that are statistically sensible since it has no room for emotional design. The sampling in the study under discussion permitted for the determination of the experiences of student nurses based on statistical analysis. Secondly, it permits for the valuation of multiple data sets more accurately and much faster. Finally, it allows for the automation of ideas thus saving time. The limitations include the fact that it requires periodic monitoring to ensure consistency. Additionally, it requires deep knowledge in various fields or disciplines to actualize.

Is Qualitative Research Real Science?

As stated, qualitative research is mainly exploratory in nature, meaning that it is integral to the scientific process. The fact that it applies self-critical and systematic approach to induction and the formulation of inferences makes it a valid scientific enterprise.

Summary

Qualitative research mainly applies exploratory research designs. The main reason or objective of such kind of research is to ensure that the researcher and by extension the future audience gain insight into motivations, opinions, and reasons by behind certain actions. On the other hand, the objective of any quantitative research is to examine a problem by generating numerical data or data that can be converted into interpretable statistics. It uses measurable data to create facts and discover patterns that emerge within a period of study.

References

Sharif, F., & Masoumi, S. (2015). A qualitative study of nursing student experiences of clinical practice. BMC Nursing, 4(1), 6-14. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1472-6955-4-6

Solvik, E., & Struksnes, S. (2018). Training Nursing Skills: A Quantitative Study of Nursing Students' Experiences before and after Clinical Practice. Nursing research and practice, 2018. Retrieved from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/nrp/2018/8984028/