Quantitative vs Qualitative Methods in Nursing, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Healthcare problems require a specific and detailed approach in order to successfully address these concerns in a timely manner, and to feasible solutions to solve these problems. By using prior evidence, it is necessary to select a strategy that will support the identification of the problem’s key variables and the ability to establish solutions that will address the problem effectively. Therefore, both qualitative and quantitative methods are used to address a variety of problems that impact health and which support a set of research questions that must be answered. These tools will evaluate the nature of these problems and how to improve health through the identification of key solutions that may be used to address a larger set of problems across a variety of subject areas.

Qualitative Methods

A qualitative approach to healthcare problems is a subjective means of supporting a theory that may support an understanding of a given problem that requires a solution (University of Wisconsin, 2015). From this perspective, a narrative is established that addresses the problem in greater detail, utilizing different examples and prior literature in order to achieve the intended results. For example, understanding the nature of a chronic disease such as diabetes and its psychological impact on patients would require a qualitative approach in order to define specific characteristics that are common within this patient population. This serves as an opportunity to examine different areas where a patient’s physical needs and limitations influence his or her psychological wellbeing. For example, children with type 1 diabetes may have serious health concerns that impact their ability to perform in school, their after school activities, and their general morale and motivation, and these factors may be introduced in a qualitative study to identify their impact on parents (Whittemore, Jaser, Chao, & Grey, 2012). This would serve as an important facilitator in understanding the nature and impact of diabetes on children and their parents, as well as their ability to overcome and manage the challenges of the disease as it impacts their daily lives. This type of approach is appropriate for the subject matter because it addresses the emotions and beliefs of the parents who would participate in the study in a narrative manner in order to understand the impact of the disease on family members.

Quantitative Methods

Quantitative approaches provide an objective examination of data and are designed to evaluate the use of theoretical principles in different ways in order to answer a set of questions (University of Wisconsin, 2015). Therefore, it is important to utilize deductive reasoning and narrow the focus of the proposed question in order to achieve the desired results, using proven statistical and data analysis methods in the process (University of Wisconsin, 2015). By using this approach, it is possible to examine a variety of issues related to a given subject area that require more definitive answers that are based upon gathered data and statistical analyses. For example, an understanding of the relationship between stress and hypertension may be viewed through a quantitative lens, as this provides an examination of the key variables that impact the development of the hypertensive state as a result of stress-related factors that impact daily living and the ability to sustain manageable blood pressure levels (Rosenthal & Alter, 2012). By understanding the relationship between these issues, it is possible to develop a greater understanding of the dynamics of hypertension and to define some of the causative factors of the disease in order to better understand its physical impact on patients (Rosenthal & Alter, 2012). From this perspective, it is also important to identify the different causes of hypertension, using factors such as blood pressure levels and other quantitative tests in order to identify the relationship between stress and the disease.

References

Rosenthal, T., & Alter, A. (2012). Occupational stress and hypertension.Journal of the American  Society of Hypertension, 6(1), 2-22.

University of Wisconsin (2015). Nursing resources: qualitative vs. quantitative. Retrieved from http://researchguides.ebling.library.wisc.edu/c.php?g=293229&p=1953453

Whittemore, R., Jaser, S., Chao, A., Jang, M., & Grey, M. (2012). Psychological experience of parents of children with type 1 diabetes a systematic mixed-studies review. The Diabetes Educator, 38(4), 562-579.