Help Understand

icyounurse, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2008

I just got done with an advanced nursing research class for my masters so maybe I can help some, although alot of that stuff is still pure greek to me. Qualitative reaserch, in contrast to quantitive, involves descriptive narratives and case studies and feild studies. Its not as controlled or "scientific" as quantitative research which involves experiments with tight controls where lots of previous reaserch alerady exists. I would say that qualitative studies are certainly research in their own right. Lots of valueable research comes from these methods. Like when you know very little about a phenomenon getting some qualitative data from interviews and case studies highlights important trends and sets the stage for later more tightly controlled research when more data is available.

Anyways hope that made sense and helps some. Research is a pretty tough class. :wink2:

nursej22, MSN, RN · Aug 20, 2008

I have just completed my masters degree and research was the toughest subject but also the most rewarding. I agree that qualitative is a separate method and can serve as an adjunct to quantitative or reveal items that deserve quantitative investigation.

For example: quantitative research has demonstrated that beta blockers prolong survival in heart failure patients. But are there side effects so severe that quality of life is impaired? A researcher could interview heart failure patients to learn about the impact of beta blockers using focus groups or surveys with open-ended questions to gather data on their experiences. The researcher would then examine the data looking for trends. This information could be used to educate health care providers and patients or to develop tools to measure quality of life for a quantitative study.

I think qualitative research is more closely related to social sciences like sociology or anthropology than quantitative, both of are important aspects of nursing.