Evaluate appropriateness of qualitative research designs for research questions
Week 7: Qualitative And Mixed Methods Research Designs
Imagine that you work in a clinic that has recently implemented a new program to support the family members of patients with brain injuries. You have been tasked with determining the success of the new program. What are your options? You could create a brief questionnaire for family members, or possibly have semi-structured interviews. How would your techniques differ if you were researching patient experiences with wait time in an emergency room setting? Reflect on how the particular circumstances of a research study dictate the most appropriate approach.
This week, you are introduced to qualitative and mixed method approaches to research design, including when to use these research designs to address specific PICOT questions. You also critique qualitative and mixed methods research studies for validity and reliability.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Evaluate appropriateness of qualitative research designs for research questions
Analyze ethical issues in qualitative research studies
Critique quantitative and qualitative or mixed methods research studies
Photo Credit: [AJ_Watt]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images
Learning Resources
Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.
Required Readings
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (10th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
Chapter 21, “Qualitative Research Design and Approaches”
This chapter introduces qualitative research designs. It provides an overview of the different types of qualitative research and then describes each one in greater detail, outlining how and when they should be used.
Houghton, C. E., Casey, D., Shaw, D., & Murphy, K. (2010). Ethical challenges in qualitative research: Examples from practice. Nurse Researcher, 18(1), 15–25.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article explores ethical challenges associated with qualitative research. Specifically, the authors examine the challenges of informed consent procedures, the researcher-participant relationship, risk-benefit ratio, confidentiality, and the dual role of the nurse-researcher.
Pringle, J., Hendry, C., & McLafferty, E. (2011). Phenomenological approaches: Challenges and choices. Nurse Researcher, 18(2), 7–18.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article examines the dilemmas faced by a researcher looking for appropriate methods and approaches for investigating the experiences of stroke survivors. In addition, this article reviews the challenges of using phenomenology as a research method.
Ryan-Nicholls, K. D., & Will, C. I. (2009). Rigour in qualitative research: Mechanisms for control. Nurse Researcher, 16(3), 70–85.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
The authors of this article provide recommendations for improving the control mechanisms of methodological rigor in qualitative research methods. The text establishes the basis of criticism on the rigor of qualitative work, ways of demonstrating methodological rigor, and the definition of rigor.
Smith, J., Bekker, H., & Cheater, F. (2011). Theoretical versus pragmatic design in qualitative research. Nurse Researcher, 18(2), 39–51.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
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