Sample Answer for NRS 445 Topic 5 DQ 1 Included After Question
Assessment Description
The theoretical foundations of qualitative and quantitative methods are very different, but many researchers believe both methods should be used in research studies to increase validity and reliability. What advantages or disadvantages do you see in using both types of methods in a nursing study? Provide an example of a nursing practice problem that could be studied using a mixed methods approach.
Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN Discussion Question Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competency 4.1
A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NRS 445 Topic 5 DQ 1
Title: NRS 445 Topic 5 DQ 1
Research methodologies form important aspects of research and determine the effectiveness of results obtained. Therefore, it is important for researchers to choose the right methods when conducting research. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods have widely been used in research, even though they have different theoretical foundations (Doyle et al.,2022).
In addition, these research methods are applied in different contexts. However, there are also many instances when both methods are used in research, in what is commonly known as the mixed methods approach. Therefore, it is also important to explore the mixed methods approach in conducting research.
As highlighted earlier, the mixed methods research approach refers to the use of both qualitative and quantitative approaches at the same time. This approach has various advantages, hence its allure to researchers. One of the main advantages is that it provides more comprehensive data or findings, which leads to a more comprehensive understanding of the research problem being investigated (Mikkonen & Kyngäs, 2020).
For example, while the qualitative aspects offer context and depth to the problem, the quantitative aspects give the statistical aspects, hence, better results. Mixed methods also allow the researchers to generalize the research findings to a bigger population since the quantitative aspects offer the statistical power to do so. As such, the external validity of the study is enhanced.
Mixed study methods also lead to enhanced validity since the combination of quantitative and qualitative data helps in addressing the limitations associated with each strategy. For instance, the qualitative aspects can be key to explaining the unusual quantitative observations. One of the nursing practice problems that could be studied using a mixed methods approach is postoperative pain management (Köse Tamer & Sucu Dağ, 2020).
The quantitative aspects of this study would study the impact of the current pain management practice in surgical settings. In addition, the qualitative aspects of this study would seek to determine the contextual factors and patient experiences connected to postoperative pain.
References
Doyle, L., McCabe, C., Keogh, B., Brady, A., & McCann, M. (2020). An overview of the qualitative descriptive design within nursing research. Journal of Research In Nursing, 25(5), 443–455. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987119880234
Köse Tamer, L., & Sucu Dağ, G. (2020). The assessment of pain and the quality of postoperative pain management in surgical patients. Sage Open, 10(2), 2158244020924377. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020924377
Mikkonen, K., & Kyngäs, H. (2020). Content analysis in mixed methods research. The Application of Content Analysis In Nursing Science Research, 31-40. Doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-30199-6_4