Quantitative Research Discussion Board

Quantitative research refers to a type of social science study whose main focus is the collection of numerical, mathematical, and statistical data on a particular phenomenon or subject and its analysis using computational methods, surveys, and questionnaires. In quantitative research, one gathers data from different sources and then analyzes it in a structured manner using mathematical, statistical, or computational tools. The main purpose of conducting quantitative research is usually quantification of the problem and understanding of its prevalence in a selected (Mericela & Esperon, 2017). According to Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt (2015), such a study normally quantifies variables such as behaviors, opinions, and attitudes in a sample population.

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According to Sousa, Driessnack, and Mendes (2007), research designs are guides or frameworks through which a study is analyzed, implemented, or planned. It enables a researcher to find answers to the hypothesis or research questions. Two main examples quantitative research designs include experimental and descriptive designs. A descriptive research design is used to find answers to research questions such as how much, how many, where, when, what, or who? (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015). It is mainly used where no much information is available about a particular phenomenon under study and hence the researcher has to document, describe, and observe different aspects of it (Sousa, Driessnack, & Mendes, 2007). On the other hand, an experimental research design is a design which is predictive in nature in that it tests predictive theories and hypotheses and is hence used to determine the cause-and-effect or effectiveness of one variable on another (Sousa, Driessnack, & Mendes, 2007). Such designs apply strict controls and entail manipulation of independent variables and use of random assignments.

A potential quantitative research study that is important to nursing studies on the experience, knowledge, and attitude of acute care and student nursing staff on patient falls and ways of preventing them. In this study, the research design I would use is the descriptive design. The reason I would use this design is that it would enable me to know more about the extent to which nurses in a particular hospital know about patient falls and ways of preventing them from occurring. This design would also enable me to understand what causes patient falls, how many cases are registered by nurses, and which patients are more vulnerable to falls. The information generated from this study could be applied to nursing practice by informing policy change on how nurses identify vulnerable patients and ways of preventing patient falls.

According to Fitzpatrick and Kazer (2011), one of the values that quantitative research adds to the practice, knowledge, and science of nursing is that it helps in enriching the results of qualitative nursing research studies. Moreover, quantitative research contributes to knowledge development among nurses as it adds to their theoretical knowledge. It thus promotes evidence-based practice which enables nurses to make informed clinical decisions that are supported by research.

References

Fitzpatrick, J.J., & Kazer, M. (2011).Encyclopedia of nursing research, third edition. New York: Springer Publishing Company

Melnyk, B. & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2015). Evidence-based practice in nursing and healthcare: a guide to best practice, 3rd edition. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health

Mericela, J., & Esperon, T. (2017). Quantitative research in nursing science. Escola Anna Nery, 21(1). Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/1414-8145.20170027

Sousa, V.D., Driessnack, M., & Mendes, A.C. (2007). An overview of research designs relevantto nursing: Part 1: Quantitative research designs. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, 15(3). Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692007000300022