Comparison Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research, Research Paper Example

Introduction

The two types of research methods are qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative research is an informal, subjective, and inductive approach to problem solving. In contrast, quantitative research is formal, objective, and deductive approach to problem solving. It is noteworthy that health research usually employs both types of research methods. In this regard, the decision regarding the appropriate method of approach depends primarily on the research question. Normally, one derives the research question from a research problem and the purpose statement. This paper will compare qualitative and quantitative research methods with the help of two articles. The paper will also evaluate the appropriateness of all research methods recommended for specific nursing research questions.

The first article uses quantitative research method. It describes the rationale, design, and methodology of a 2- year, randomized, controlled study conducted in North California. The research uses a two-group repeated measure experimental design. By using this design, the research tests 14-week intensive intervention for the benefit of breastfeeding. It also enhances the understanding of gestation diabetes, and the risk of progression to pre- diabetes as well as type-2 diabetes on women (Diane et al, 2013).

In the second article, the study uses qualitative methodology. The study sought to identify the causes of diabetes distress in a sample of young adults with type 1 diabetes. The study uses semi-structured interviews with 35 individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The interviewed individuals are aged 23 to 30 years.

Comparison between quantitative and qualitative research

Quantitative research method is well suited to testing the hypothesis and determining the opinion, non-numerical and practices of a large population. On the other hand, qualitative research, leads to the developing of hypothesis and theories to describe processes. In other words, quantitative research tends to test a theory while, on the contrary, qualitative research tends to generate a theory. This is evident in the two articles above. In the first article, the study is based on the social cognitive theory, which posits that learning and practicing of a new behavior enhances self-efficacy. According Diane et al (2013), when an efficacy is enhanced, the probability that a behavior will be maintained increases. The study hypothesis is that; as cognitive effect process increases, there is improvement in women who receive breast feeding, diabetes nutrition, exercise education, and motivation text messages. The study further hypothesizes that this woman will increase their self-efficacy, improve their nutrition exercise, behavior, and manage their weight. Their behavioral changes will in turn reduce the risk of progression to type 2 diabetes and improve their infant outcome. The second study appreciates that; there is numerous diabetes distresses and that there has been limited study of diabetes-related distress in young people. Thus, the study aims at identifying the course of distress in a sample of young adults having type 1 diabetes. The study is based on the idea that, understanding the factors that drive distress is crucial for developing appropriate interventions to combat it (Balfeet al, 2013). The study generates the theory that diabetes-related distresses are prone to young adults suffering from type 1 diabetes during the 2^nd phase of young adulthood. According to Balfe et al (2013), the diabetes distress is triggered by factors such as diabetes-management difficulties, stigma, and concern about the feature. The findings of the study reveal that several factors that moderate the distress exist. These factors include opportunity to talk to health care professional and joining peer support program.

Another difference between these two research methods is that, qualitative research design tends to produce results that can be generalized. From the first study, we can conclude that, as cognitive effect process increases there is improvement in women who receive breastfeeding, diabetes, nutrition and exercise education as well as motivation text messages. Their behavior changes will in turn reduce the risk of progression to type 2 diabetes and improve their infant outcome. For this reason, this leads to an effective intervention to assist all women diagnosed with GMD to improve maternal glucose homeostasis and weight as well as stabilizing the growth trajectory in infants. The results of such studies are less biased and thus can be generalized to all women diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. On the other hand, the results from article two are a bit hard to generalize. This is due to the problem of the sample used at the time. For instance, we all know that the feeling and opinions of the interviewed individuals could change depending on a particular set of circumstances. It is because of this that the generalization of research studies with qualitative result becomes difficult.

In terms of study sample, the quantitative research uses large sample size while qualitative uses small sample size. The first article uses 100 women who are between the 22 to 36 weeks of pregnancy and are diagnosed with GMD. In addition, the study randomizes their infants to either experimental groups or wait-listed control making the number of samples big. The second article –  a qualitative research- uses a relatively small sample of 35 individuals with a type 1 diabetes aged 23 to 30 years. The study uses purposive sampling method. The sample population was recruited from Irish Facebook support group of young adult with type 1 diabetes. An additional three more respondent were recruited from specialist young adult clinic in Ireland.

Another difference between qualitative and quantitative research is that quantitative research uses data that is structured in numbers. In contrast, qualitative research uses non-numerical data. In first article, most of the data is in terms of numbers. For instance, the measurement of the blood pressure, weight status outcome, lipid panel, glycated hemoglobin panel, and HOMA are in term of numbers. The few data that are in form of words are structured such that they can easily be converted to numbers. On the data analysis, a descriptive data analysis was carried out. Using the data analysis program such as SAS, the mean differences between intervention and wait- list control group, correlation matrices are computed. On the other hand, the data from the second articles is a series of responses from face to face and telephone interviews, most of the data are in non-numerical form. The analysis of this qualitative data the researcher involves organizing, summarizing, and interpreting these non-numeric observations into valid conclusion. The analysis of data in both studies follows scientific method.

The nature of the inquiry is similar to both qualitative and quantitative research (Bittner & Tobin, 2008). The two researches seek to lay facts and explain behavior and events, their components, and consequences. Both studies adhere to the ethical standards. They also adhere to the scientific methods. For the study in the first article, the trial received ethical approval from Institute of Review Board at the University of California at Chapel Hill. For the case of the study in the second article, the study received ethical approval from the Research Ethics Committee of Royal College of Surgeon In Ireland. The sample size used 35 is within the best practices guidelines for studies based on semi-structured qualitative.

Summary

Quantitative research method is deductive; they rely on experimental and survey methods to test a specific hypothesis based on the general principle (Arangie, 2007). On the other hand, qualitative research leads to developing of hypothesis and theories to describe a process.

It is important to note that both quantitative and qualitative research methods play significant roles in the health care. Although qualitative method is often considered as lacking scientific rigor, no approach is inferior to the other. When these methodologies are used in combination, more benefit can be realized.

Conclusion

Qualitative and quantitative methods are two systematic way of solving problem that are used in healthcare. While quantitative research tends to test a theory, qualitative research tend to generate a theory. Selection of which method to use depends primary on the research question. Normally, the research question is from a research problem and purpose statement. Due to the numerous challenges facing the health care research, it is imperative that both research methodologies be embraced. In addition, more gain can be realized if both methods are used in combination.

References

Arangie, M. P. (2007). The Practice of Social Research. Tennessee Nurse. Belmont: Wadsworth.

Balfe, M., Doyle, F., Smith, D., Sreenan, S., Brugha, R., Hevey, D., & Conroy, R. (2013). What’s distressing about having type 1 diabetes? A qualitative study of young adults’ perspectives. BMC Endocrine Disorders, 13(1), 25–38. doi:10.1186/1472-6823-13-25.

Bittner, N.P, & Tobin, D. (2008). Rigour in qualitative research: The assessment of trustworthiness . Journal for Nurses in Staff Development ; 14(6), 267-272.

Diane, C. B. et al. (2013). Rationale, design, and methodology for the optimizing outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their infants study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2013, 13(1).13-184