Reference no: EM133503497
Assignment:
Quantitative and qualitative research both are important for gathering different kinds of information and gaining knowledge from it. According to Aspers and Corte (2019), the general goal of quantitative and qualitative research is the same, to understand the world better their methodologies and focus in certain respects differ substantially. According to Doorenbos (2014), there are many benefits to using mixed methods. Quantitative data can support qualitative research components by identifying representative patients or cases. Qualitative data can shed light on quantitative components by helping with the development of the conceptual model.
According to Wasti et al. (2022), quantitative research is usually underpinned by positivism. This includes most epidemiological studies. A disadvantage of this research is typically based on the assumption that there is one single real world that can be measured. An advantage of using quantitative research is that the findings can be generalized and easy to analyze.
According to Wasti et al. (2022), qualitative research is more likely to be based on interpretivism, this includes research based on interviews and focus groups. An advantage of using qualitative research is that it assumes that we all experience the world differently. A disadvantage of this research is that it uses fewer participants and it is difficult to make a systematic comparison.
According to Wasti et al. (2022), mixed-methods research brings together questions from two different philosophies in what is referred to as the third path. An example of this would be under quantitative research where the researcher addresses the following question, what proportion of the population of Americans drink coffee? Whereas in a qualitative study, the researcher would ask the following question, how do people experience drinking coffee in America? A disadvantage of using both methods in a nursing study involves an increase in costs and resources and it takes longer to complete these studies. According to Wasti et al. (2022), using both methods involves multiple stages of data collection and separate data analysis. Conducting mixed-methods research does not necessarily guarantee an improvement in the quality of health research.