Nursing Research Process Components Essay

Good research always starts with prior research for possible topic ideas, as well as finding academic journals that deal with subject. If your discipline is child care, it’s advisable to research works by other writers to understand challenges and relevant issues before choosing researchable topics in nursing that deal with young patients. This step ensures that student finds related sources and chooses slightly different approach to make assignment original.Nursing Research Process Components Essay

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Next step is research paper introduction, which has to have an interesting hook that either makes solid statement or provides an arguable argumentation. If writing on hot controversial topic, make a claim that is later developed in suitable thesis statement. Body paragraphs should avoid using too many ideas because such approach only confuses target audience and basically makes conclusion part impossible to complete. As for final paragraph, it has to make a call to action to provide personal recommendations or analysis of information processed. Remember that if you used any statistics or comparison data in nursing research paper topic, it is necessary to include full listing in Appendix or notes, if applicable.Nursing Research Process Components Essay

The essence of this essay is to highlight in detail the similarities and dissimilarities

between quantitative and qualitative research method. According to Tingen et al.

(2009) research has an enormous impact on the current and future growth of the

nursingprofession;itgeneratesnewknowledgethatimprovesnursingpractice,

which is in line with the initiative “improving general practice: A call to action” (NHS,

2014). This essay will be written considering the steps, components and paradigm of

research process (Morgan, 2007).

According toField(2011), themajor purpose ofresearch isto generatenew

knowledge, broaden and validate existing knowledge in order to improve practice. As

stated in the report of nursing committee (Briggs report), nursing practice should be

evidenced-basedsoastoimprovethequalityofcareoftheirpatientsandthe

general population (ICN, 2009). Research method refers to all procedures used by a

researcher ina research process.It comprises of both the quantitativeand

qualitative method (Kathari, 2004). A quantitative research is a systematic approach

used to quantify variables (Wayne, 2010). Groove (2005) also defined a quantitative

research as a systematic, structured and formal process that uses statistical

approach in the collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data.Nursing Research Process Components Essay

Contrarily, Carter and Thomas (2005) defined a qualitative research as a systematic

but unstructured method that uses narrative/descriptive approach in the collection,

analysis,interpretationandpresentationofdata.Itisalsoreferredtoaprimary

explorative research that is used to gain understanding of an underlying opinion,

idea and perception, which sets a hypothesis for a potential quantitative study

(Wyse, 2011). Irrespective of the difference in the meaning of a quantitative and

qualitativeresearch,theyarebothresearchmethodsthatfollowastep-by-step

process; considering all the components of a research process such as the

methodologies and designssystematically. Thiscorrespondswith thedefinition of

research as a systematic and rigorous process (Kaplain, 2015).

A quantitative research usesaconvergent/deductivereasoning.Itis frequently

referred as “top-bottom” approach becauseit works on a hypothesis; it analyzes a

broadinterestuntilitisnarrowedtoaconclusion(Gabriel,2013).Aquantitative

research is also known as a “benchop science” simply because it uses experiments

to explain its hypothesis showing relationship between an independent (cause) and a

dependent (effect) variable (Shields andAlison, 2005). In contrast to this, a

qualitative research uses a divergent/inductive reasoning; it generates a new theory

for a quantitative research to experiment on and explores phenomena. This method

is alsoknownas a“bottom-top” approachbecause itbegins withan observation,

develops a pattern, creates a hypothesis to support its theory and draws a

conclusion based on multiple ideas. It explains the meaning of variables rather than

showing their relationship (Sanders et al., 2007). However from a different point of

view,Thomas andJames (2006)isof theopinionthat theroleof aquantitative

research is not just centred on experimenting a theory developed by a qualitative

research rather it could also develop its theory from the researchers predictions.Nursing Research Process Components Essay

Truncellito(2007)emphasizesontheimportanceofepistemology(existenceof

knowledge) and ontology (existence of truth/reality) on the paradigm of a research. It

consists of positivism and interpretism. A quantitative research is based on

positivism; it is objective in nature as it generates knowledge and truth from single

idea and prediction from the researcher, empirical confirmation and experimentation.

On the other hand, a qualitative research is based on interpretism; it is subjective in

nature drawing its knowledge from interpreting multiple views of people’s

experiences, behaviour and understanding of their natural environment with little or

no prediction from the researcher (Myres, 2008; Collins, 2010).

Literature review is a very important component of a research process because it

provides athorough understanding of aresearch problem (Schmelzer,2008). It is

alsosignificantinnursingpracticeasithelpsinthevalidation,comparisonand

enhancement of patient care, which is in line with the UK government policy

“Essence of care” that encourages the use of bench-marking by nurses in order to

compare and improve practice (DH, 2010). Both the quantitative and qualitative

research methodreviews literature, however donein different ways; while a

quantitativeresearcherreviewsliteratureindetailbeforecommencingastudy

(Halloway, 2008); a qualitative researcher briefly reviews literature at the beginning

of a study (Wheelers and Holloway, 2010). However opposing this opinion,

Silverman (2010) argues that a qualitative researcher should rather review similar

literature after data analysis in order to reduce chances of getting biased results

since the researchers thought can be influenced, this is termed “Experimental bias”.

Researchliteratureconsistsofcomplexwords;hencebothaquantitativeanda

qualitativeresearchmethodvalidatetheimportanceofoperationaldefinitionsin Nursing Research Process Components Essay

order to promote understanding of the readers (Cherry, 2015).

A quantitative researchisconductedin anexperimental/controlledenvironment

which ensuresaccuracy of result(Anderson, 2006);contradicting this view,Jones

(2015) is of the opinion that aquantitative research could be biased since it is not

performed in a realistic environment. On the other hand, a qualitative research is

also called a naturalistic science because it is conducted in the natural setting of the

subjects.Thisequips theresearcherwiththeunderstandingoffactors thatcould

influencetheresearchstudy,which could besocio-economicalsuchas;poor

education and illiteracy. People from such background might not be able to cope with

theresearchprocess,whichislinkedwiththewiderdeterminantsofhealthas

explained by Dahlgren and Whitehead (1991). Research performed in a natural

setting is very essential in nursing practice because it improves the understanding of

nurses on the individual experiences of their patients and allows the nurse to reflect

in and on action (Schon, 1983) to develop strategies to improve patient’s experience

of care. This is in line with “improving the patient and client experience” (DH, 2013).

Sampling method refers to technique used in selecting a sample size while a sample

size refers to the group of people chosen to participate in a research. The major

sampling techniques are; probability and non-probability sampling technique

(McLeod, 2014); a quantitative research selects its sample size using the probability

sampling technique so as to obtain results that can be generalized to the population.

Typesofprobabilitytechniqueincludes;systematic,simplerandomandstratified

samplingtechnique(Explorable, 2009).Aqualitativeresearchon theotherhand,

uses non-probability sampling technique such as snowballing, quota,

convenience/purposivesamplingtechniques.However,Barbie(2013)arguesthat

some non-probability sampling methods can also be used by a quantitative research.

Thesamplesizeofaquantitativeresearchislargerangingfrom100-1000and

above (Hopkins, 2008) while that of a qualitative research is relatively small ranging

from 20-30 (Polit et., 2001). However, Mason (2010) argues that a researcher could

select as many sample size as possible until he gets to a saturation point since some

qualitativeresultscanbegeneralized.Fromadifferentopinion,Jackson(2012)Nursing Research Process Components Essay

suggests that a minimum sample size of 10 is accurate since a qualitative research

only sets a hypothesis and cannot be generalised.

A quantitative research is a systematic, structured and rigid type of research that

uses Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for data collection. Contrarily, although

a qualitative research is systematic, it is flexible and uses an unstructured instrument

for data collection. Therefore, during interviews questions can be diverted depending

on the responseof the participants (Belmontet al., 2010). Aquantitative research

uses correlative and experimental approach (Shields and Alison, 2005) which is an

integral aspect of nursingpractice because it enables the nurse tounderstand the

relationship between an independent (cause) and a dependent (effect) variable. For

instance an experiment can be conducted to identify the relationship between lung

cancer (dependent variable) andsmoking (independent variable). This agrees with

the opinion of Webb (2010) which emphasizes on the relevance of evidence-based

practiceinthenursingprofession.Incontrary,aqualitativeresearchmethodis

centred on the use of ethnographical, phenomenological approach and case study,

which is also relevant in nursing practice as it allows nurses to be familiar with the

individual experiences and needs of their patients (Kozma and Anderson, 2002).

Ethical consideration is of paramount importance in both quantitative and qualitative

researchmethod.Itisthereforenecessarytoobtainaninformedconsentfrom

research participants putting into consideration the four ethical principles which are;

autonomy,non-Nursing Research Process Components Essaymaleficence,beneficenceandjustice(BeauchampandChildress,

2009). Thisaims attreating participants withfairness andinvolving themin every

decision making process during the research; as supported by “Liberating the NHS:

No decision about me, without me” (DH, 2012). In both methods, participants are

allowedtomaketheirownchoiceandeverydatacollectedduringtheresearch

processisguardedwithstrictconfidentiality.ThisissupportedbytheHelsinki

declaration (NIH, 2012), Data Protection Act (DH, 1988) and the data protection tips

whichstatesthataresearch datashouldbekept“inalockedsafedrawer,in a

locked room, in a locked building” and all electronic devices used for a research work

should be built to a protected design (Penn state, 2014). Methods of data collection

in aquantitative researchinclude; survey,structured interview andnon-participant

observation whilea qualitativeresearch uses participantobservation, unstructured

interview and focus group discussion (Bamberger, 2000). Although interview is used

by both methods, a quantitative research uses a definite or close ended question

which requires a “yes/no” answer; whereas a qualitative research on the other hand,

uses an open ended questionwhich allows participants to discuss their feelings in

details (Lodioet., 2010). However,Raja etal. (2003) suggeststhat theuse of an

open endedquestionnaire is mosteffective as itprovides the researcherwith rich

data. Opposing this statement, Gatton and Jones (2004) is of the opinion that a close

ended questionnaire isthe best as ithelps to control therespondents, saves time

and requires fewer skills.

Rawdataina quantitativeresearchisrepresentedinanon-textual ornumerical

form; these data are analyzed statistically and presented using graph, plot boxes,

charts,figuresandtables.Onthecontrary,rawdatainqualitativeresearchare

representedin text;they areanalyzedby beinggrouped intocategories (coding).

Analyzed data’s are presented in themes and subthemes descriptively (Belmont et.,

2010).Contradictingthisopinion, UniteforSight(2010)stated thataqualitative

research can also be quantified to some extent such as, categorizing the percentage

ofparticipantsinaresearch.Boththequantitativeandqualitativemethodsuses

coding but it is important to note that while quantitative uses scores and numbers to

code, qualitative uses themes and sub themes (Monett et al., 2014). According to

Brown (2006) generalizability is the degree to which a research result can be

extendedtothegeneralpopulation.Findingsofaquantitativeresearchcanbe

generalized because of its objectivity and the use of a large sample size that can be

representative of the general population, which explains validity (reality or factuality)

and reliability (consistency) of the result (Thomas, 2005); however the use of a small

samplesize couldaffectthegeneralizability ofaquantitative research(Katsirikou

and Skiadas, 2011). In contrast, findings of a qualitative research gives insight to a

problem and does not talk about truth hence, it cannot be generalized because of its

subjectivity and the use of a relatively small sample size which is not representative

of the general population (Barbie, 2013). However, William (2008) is of the opinion

thatthefindingsofaqualitativeresearchcouldbegeneralizedifitpossesfour

characteristics; credibility, transferability, confirmability and dependability, alongside

with a large sample size.

Disseminationoffindingsisalwaystheconclusionofaresearchprocess,both

research methods disseminates findings through technology such as internet, books,Nursing Research Process Components Essay

journals and social media; to improve practice and indicate areas for

recommendation and constructive criticism (RCN, 2015). According to Wheelers and

Holloway (2010) nurses should combine both methods in practice (Triangulation) as

it leads to effectiveness of care. While qualitative research method provides nurses

withan in-depthknowledge oftheirpatient’s experiences,behaviourand attitude,

quantitative research on the other hand, allows thenurse to quantify these

experiences. For instance, a qualitative research allows the nurse to identify patients

selfcareneeds,whereasaquantitativeresearchrevealsthecauses,effectand

extentof selfcaredeficit.Thiscan belinkedwiththe DorothyOrem’sselfcare

theory (Orem’s, 1959).

In conclusion, although the quantitative and qualitative research method have their

weaknesses, they also posses their strengths; therefore none is superior to the other

and shouldboth be usedin nursing practiceto enhance effectiveness(Burke and

Larry, 2012). A qualitative research develops a theory for a quantitative research to

experiment on; while a qualitative research validates these theories hence they work

concurrently to improve practice (Barrett, 2012). Nursing research should be

globalized in order to ensure professional growth and improve health care delivery

worldwide (DH, 2008). Reflectively, writing this essay has broadened the knowledge

of the author on the importance of qualitative and quantitative research methods and

how they can be incorporatedinto nursing practice to improve professional growth

(Rolfe, 2001 Nursing Research Process Components Essay