Qualitative and quantitative research

Qualitative and quantitative research

In broad sense, the quantitative research is thought to be objective, whereas the qualitative research often involves a subjective element. It is thought that in gaining, analyzing and interpreting quantitative data, the researcher can remain detached and objective. However, in subtle times it is not possible with qualitative research, where the researcher may actually be involved in the situation of the research.

Based on the current evidences from Hunt et al. has demonstrated that the qualitative method is gaining ground in nursing research. In spite of a relative progress continues to dominate and to underline the exclusive value of quantitative design especially in the aspect of randomized clinical trials for clinical decision making.

In actual scenario it is convenient to those in power making utilitarian decisions on one side, while on the other hand facing nursing criticism for the establishment in favor of qualitative research.

It is difficult to choose a practical and ethical way that the values of the nursing role within the health care system, and to maintain the quality care and maintaining researcher’s integrity.

Quantitative designs of research tend to produce results that can be generalized. However, qualitative studies tend to produce results that are less easy to generalize.

Quantitative research uses data that are structured in the form of numbers or that can be immediately transported into numbers. If the data cannot be structured in the form of numbers, they are considered qualitative.

With respect to the data collection process, there may not be a clear advantage to either qualitative or quantitative approaches, although qualitative research method has the advantage that they may be able to identify and handle response bias rather than afterwards.

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