Qualitative and Quantitative Research in Nursing

Introduction

In recent past nursing and health care has earned much attention of science. Research in nursing has become the main part of higher education and nursing education has its own part of knowledge. The main purpose of nursing research is to discover the facts pertains to peculiar problems by using systematic, empirical, controlled and critical investigation means (Schotfetdt, 1977). The purpose of nursing research has different dimensions. It's exploratory nature aims to generate and develop tentative conjectures and theories. Descriptive-based nature of nursing research explains the process and relationship. It's analytical dimension analyze question which are complex in nature.

The purpose of this assignment is to understand qualitative and quantitative methods used in nursing and health care industry. Then I discuss the advantages and disadvantages of qualitative methods. Limitations of qualitative methods are pointed out and finally I argue that though qualitative research is commonly used in nursing and health care industry, but it is not a real science.

Discussion

Qualitative method research

Nursing research in last year has earned much attention. Qualitative methods of research are gaining importance as a means to develop nursing knowledge based on evidence and nursing practice. It answers the wide range of questions which are related to the human response to actual health issues. Though scientific entity, qualitative research has its roots in human science and philosophy. It is used to cater insight about the behavior, attitude, value system, motivation, culture and life style. However qualitative research is exposed to its validity and quality. Efforts are made to improve the authenticity of qualitative research. Commitment and patience, trust and understanding are few elements of nursing. These are almost impossible to quantify, and the values of these variables vary person to person. Thus, result obtained will also vary. That is why qualitative method of nursing ...