A comparison of qualitative and quantitative research: similarities and differences

["Dissertation (M.Soc.Sc. (Nursing))--University of the Free State, 2008","Nursing -- Research -- Methodology","Nursing -- Research"]

Masiloane, Evodia Thato ; ["Van den Berg, R. H."]

University of the Free State

Others  :  http://scholar.ufs.ac.za/xmlui/bitstream/11660/8289/1/MasiloaneET.pdf

瑞士|英语

来源: University of Iowa

【 摘 要 】

English: In this paper, four essays are discussed. The first essay is a comparison of qualitative and quantitative research, with emphasis on similarities and differences. A short discussion of the blended research design is included in the discussion. The second essay is on sampling. The different sampling methods, as well as the way in which they can be used in nursing research are discussed. The next essay is a literature review on sexually transmitted infections. The last essay is on the research problem, with emphasis on the criteria that a good problem statement should meet. All these topics are very important in research, as understanding and addressing them appropriately will result in research efforts that yield a quality product.ESSAY 1: A COMPARISON OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCHThis essay showed that, although there are some similarities, there are also different ways in which qualitative and quantitative researchers go through the different stages of the research process. As a similarity, both qualitative and quantitative researchers identify an important problem in need of study. Then they decide how they are going to go about conducting the study on this problem (research design), as well as the ethical principles that need to be adhered to.It is after deciding on a research design, that qualitative and quantitative researchers differ. There is not as much planning prior to activities like sampling and data collection in the qualitative research process as there is in the quantitative research process. In qualitative research, the emphasis is on objectivity and proper understanding of the phenomena being researched. The qualitative study is conducted in the most natural setting, with the data and their results being viewed in the perspectives of the subjects being studied. In quantitative research on the other hand, importance is placed on the precise numerical results that can be generalized to populations.Blending qualitative and quantitative research designs in one study can produce better quality results, due to the fact that, the best of the two methodologies are combined, with shortcomings in one design being compensated with the strength in the other.ESSAY 2: SAMPLINGIn this essay, the important concepts usually found in sampling were discussed to ease an understanding of the sampling procedure. The different sampling designs were discussed in detail, as well as how they can be of use to nurse researchers.It was shown in this essay that the different research designs usually engage different sampling methods (quantitative researchers using probability sampling and qualitative researchers using non-probability sampling). In the discussions of the different sampling methods, reasons why some sampling methods are usually used in one and not in the other research designs became evident. The exception to the norm is cases in which a researcher is blending qualitative and quantitative sampling in one study. Sampling designs used in published nursing research studies were also highlighted to reflect the ways in which sampling designs are practically applied.ESSAY 3: LITERATURE REVIEW ON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONSSexually transmitted infections are nowadays being overshadowed by HIV/AIDS and this essay served to show a variety of sexually transmitted infections other than and as well as HIV: how they are transmitted, their signs and symptoms and their complications. Rendering a service to clients who suffer from sexually transmitted infections was highlighted as well as the important role care-givers play. The different cultural perspectives regarding sexually transmitted infections were also highlighted. It was shown how best clients with sexually transmitted infections can be medically treated in the most cost effective but efficient manner (the syndromic approach).This literature study showed that sexually transmitted infections are still a highly prevalent public health problem. As shown in the literature study, sexually transmitted infections result in high morbidity and they contribute to the high rate of HIV infection, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.ESSAY 4: THE PROBLEM STATEMENTIn the last essay, the research problem was discussed, with special emphasis on the criteria that a good problem statement should meet. Based on these criteria, five problem statements were evaluated to see whether they met all the necessary requirements of a proper problem statement.GENERAL CONCLUSION TO THE ESSAYS' SUMMARYIn conclusion, all of these essays served to shed light on the discussed aspects of the research methodology, that would make it an easier task (for a novice researcher) to conduct a research study, using either a qualitative design, a quantitative design or a blended research design.