Quantitative Research Essay

Methods used in psychological research are used to obtain quantitative or qualitative data. Quantitative data is more often than not derived from methods such as experiments and statistics analysing data using surveys, questionnaires and interviews. Qualitative data tends not to be aimed at finding exact measurements in its findings, but is more concerned with evidence collection and analysis through practices such as observation and ethnography (using observations through involvement in activities over a period of time) (Brownlow 2011).

In this paper I will analyze two articles, one is quantitative and the other is qualitative. I will describe the quantitative methods used including the research question addressed, the hypothesis, and variables. I will identify the population and sample. I will discuss the reliability and validity of the instruments used. I will then discuss the design of the article and how the findings were analyzed. For the qualitative article, I will identify the design of the article, the methods used and the strategies used for analyzing the data. Lastly, I will look at the implications for practice in the qualitative article, discuss other journals that might be interested in publishing the article and discuss how this article might

For quite a while there has been some discussion around which method of distinctions between Qualitative research and quantitative research. This has been fired in later years with some thinking that a combination of the two is best practice especially in social

It is common for researchers to compare qualitative and quantitative research methods. Quantitative methods originate from positivist and post- positivist research paradigms. Also, the methods objectively examine statistical data to determine cause and affect and often use generalizable data. There are various methods used in quantitative research such as surveys,

The focus of the article by Spurlock and Hunt (2008) was on an empirical study researching whether the HESI Exit Exam possesses any usefulness in predicting pass-rates on the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses. The authors identify the variables of the study as HESI Exit Exam scores and NCLEX-RN outcomes, emphasizing the relationship between the variables as being previously determined by research literature as “marginal at best” (Spurlock & Hunt, 2008). The stated primary purposes for the research by Spurlock and Hunt (2008) were to examine if HESI Exit Exam scores had the ability to predict NCLEX-RN outcomes, and to explain the inconsistencies between predictions of HESI Exit Exam scores and actual NCLEX-RN results. The article indicates that the research is significant in nursing due to the weight of importance placed on NCLEX-RN outcomes “…by nursing school administrators, educators, and graduates, as well as by prospective students and their parents” (Spurlock & Hunt, 2008).

Methods used in psychological research are used to obtain quantitative or qualitative data. Quantitative data is more often than not derived from methods such as experiments and statistics analyzing data using surveys, questionnaires and interviews. Qualitative data tends not to be aimed at finding exact measurements in its findings, but is more concerned with evidence collection and analysis through practices such as observation and ethnography (using observations through involvement in activities over a period of time) (Brownlow 2011).

In defining quantitative research the term can be dichotomized. Firstly, research refers to creative, systematic work with the intention to increase the knowledge of man and thereby devise new applications (OECD, 2002). In addition Gray (1997) stated that research should improve performance and that the results should be

“My PICOT statement was: “In elderly hospitalized patients 60 years of age and above, do specific fall prevention interventions, as compared to standard care, reduce the amount of falls in an inpatient setting, during their hospitalization?” For this paper I will be reviewing a quantitative research article based around my PICOT on fall risk within the hospital setting. Patient falls within the hospital setting are a nursing-sensitive quality indicator based around the delivery and care of inpatient services. As identified by the American Nurses Association, “fall rates are perceived to be the indicator that could be most improved through safety strategies and interventions” (ANA, 2002, p.179). In order to create safety strategies to improve fall risk it is important to identify which preventative measures work best within the hospital. This paper will be reflecting on the peer-reviewed Quantitative journal article found on the GCU database titled, Effectiveness of multifaceted and tailored strategies to implement a fall-prevention guideline into acute care nursing practice: a before-and after, mixed-method study using a participatory action research approach. Within this research article it states the severity of inpatient falls, specifically in the elderly, stating, “Falls are a common problem in hospitals, particularly in patients aged 65 and older. Around 30% of all persons aged 65 or older suffer a fall each

The more ‘extreme’ positions in the debate between qualitative versus quantitative research state that qualitative research is “unscientific, anecdotal, and saturated by the opinions of the researcher”, whereas the latter is “not representative of human behaviour” (Natasi & Schensul, 2005).

There are three authors for this quantitative research study. Martin Knoll is the HTW of Saarland, Clinical Nursing Research and Evaluation, Saarbruecken, Germany. Christine Lautenschlaeger, Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometry and Medical Informatics, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany is the second author. And last, Marianne

After careful data analysis, the need for instructional improvement on strategies to address the needs of English language learners it is apparent. Improving literacy skills is critical in decreasing achievements gaps of this subgroup. As mentioned previously, Pinewood maintains a school grade of a B; nevertheless, a focus on strategies to meet the needs of ELL students will benefit all students. With effort from all stakeholders, a focus on instructional strategies to improve learning of English learners could result in decreasing the achievement gap as well as increasing the school grade to an A, since many of these students count for the lowest 25%. Correspondingly, Marchand-Martella, Klingner, and Martella (2010) justify that

Quantitative research defines the research that can produce statistics, solid facts, and numbers. It uses measurements and statistical analyses.

This study intended to examine the effectiveness of initiatives implemented regionally, and determine if the leadership formation activities accomplished their intended purpose of successfully improving the leadership quality and the quantity of future candidates available to fill leadership positions.

There are different ways in which researcher defines quantitative and qualitative research. Quantitative research is a social research that uses experimental methods, questionnaires, numerical data and explains observations usually in tables or charts from. Quantitative research can define the relationship between two or more studies.

Qualitative and Quantitative study designs both can be beneficial in research design. They both provide valuable options for researchers in the field. These techniques can either be used separately in a research study or they can be combined to achieve maximum information. This paper will define the terms qualitative and quantitative; describe the similarities and differences between each; discuss how qualitative and/or quantitative research designs or techniques could be used in the evaluation of my proposed research; and discuss why linking analysis to study design is important.