Quantitative and qualitative research methods

use different approaches to collect and analyze data. However, researchers can combine both methods in a research study depending on the nature of the research. It is appropriate to use a mixed-method research approach when researchers want to get in-depth information about a concept or phenomenon. Combining both methods allows researchers to collect both qualitative and quantitative data, which enables them to understand the research concept better (Gray & Grove, 2020). Mixed-method is also useful when a researcher wants to avoid the limitations of one research method. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods have limitations. Quantitative studies solve the limitations of qualitative studies and vice versa. Therefore, when researchers want to eliminate these limitations to obtain quality results, they combine both research methods (Ivankova & Wingo, 2018). In addition, a mixed-method study design should be used when researchers are knowledgeable and experienced in the research field and can use both methods effectively in a study. Mixed-method design can be complex because researchers analyze different types of data. Therefore, researchers have to be experts. Systematic reviews use mixed-method research in the review process because they analyze both qualitative and quantitative studies to obtain quality evidence. They examine studies that use different research methods but focus on the same topic and combine them to generate evidence that is applied in decision-making. For this reason, systematic reviews are at a higher level in the Hierarchy of Evidence (HoE) because than qualitative and quantitative studies (Hong et al., 2018). This means a mixed-method approach produces quality evidence with minimal errors. Therefore, nurses should prioritize studies that use a mixed-method approach when obtaining evidence from research findings because they have high validity and reliability since they analyze quantitative and qualitative data. References Gray, J. R., & Grove, S. K. (2020). Burns and Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (9th ed.). Elsevier. Hong, Q. N., Gonzalez?Reyes, A., & Pluye, P. (2018). Improving the usefulness of a tool for appraising the quality of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods studies, the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 24(3), 459-467. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29464873/ Ivankova, N., & Wingo, N. (2018). Applying mixed methods in action research: Methodological potentials and advantages. American Behavioral Scientist, 62(7), 978-997. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764218772673 2nd post Using Qualitative and Quantitative Methods to Inform Evidence-Based Practice In general research practice, there is commonly assumed that researchers should identify prior to the initiation of the study what will be the best methodological approach to arrive at conclusions and achieve specific results. Following these assumptions, those approaches can be differentiated into qualitative and quantitative research methods. Another method that combines elements from both approaches and has been increasingly used in the literature is called Mixed Research Methods. Qualitative research is any research based on something impossible to measure accurately and precisely. Quantitative research also called "empirical research" is any research based on something that can be accurately and precisely measured. ("Research guides: Nursing resources: Qualitative vs. quantitative," 2022) On the other hand, Mixed methods research combines elements of both described research approaches to increase the breadth and depth of understanding. According to Doorenbos A. Z. (2014), Mixed Methods is also defined as the research in which the investigator collects and analyzes data, integrates the findings, and draws inferences using qualitative and quantitative approaches or methods in a single study or program of inquiry.​‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍​Although the research approach is essential to identify the methods utilized and in response to which phenomenon is in the study. The combination of research methods will provide deeper analysis and better statistical inference regarding specific topics in evaluation. However, assessing the fit between qualitative and quantitative data is essential to avoid bias and lack of relevance for the proposed study. Mixed methods offer more flexibility in designing your research, allowing you to combine aspects of different types of studies and combine theory generation and hypothesis testing within a single study, which is unusual for standalone qualitative or quantitative studies. One of the disadvantages of Mixed research methods is the increased cost compared with single research methods because several studies require the collaboration of several researchers to interpret the data and can lead to conflicting analysis outcomes and difficulties in systematically comparing the results. (George, 2022) Topic or issue in nursing in which both qualitative and quantitative research approaches might be necessary. In an article by Philippa et al. (2021), the authors utilized Mixed research methods to evaluate professional Identity in nursing. Professional Identity is a construct that constitutes personal values, attitudes, and beliefs in combination with the characteristics and understandings of the nursing profession. The study's qualitative approach evaluated RN's understanding of the self, their role, the context of practice, the healthcare team, and perceptions of nursing. In the quantitative approach, the authors indicated that demographic variables were similar between the two groups of RNs and that the inventories used to measure professional Identity and nursing work were reliable and valid. Using both methodological approaches build up a deep understanding of the professional Identity of new nurses by analyzing quali-quantitative variables strongly related to discussed evidence. Mixed methods in this study increase the ability to address research questions about understanding and perception beliefs and their relationship with specific measurable variables. Mixed methods provide a valuable bridge between two largely separate and sometimes antagonistic groups, both of whom need effective research partnerships useful in study designs as proposed by the authors. Mixed Methods lend itself to evidence-based practice because it applies to the research situations of today, seeing that they are more complex and intricate. ("Pros and cons of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method research," 2018) The appropriate knowledge and understanding of every research method approach are necessary for modern researchers. Each topic of interest in healthcare can be faced through different perspectives independently of the variables to be studied and the research objectives. The selection of each method, or the combination of quali-quantitative protocols, will strengthen outcomes and replication. Consideration for each method needs to be profoundly evaluated prior to the implementation of the study. References Doorenbos A. Z. (2014). Mixed Methods in Nursing Research : An Overview and Practical Examples. Kango kenkyu. The Japanese journal of nursing research, 47(3), 207–217. George, T. (2022, July 21). Mixed methods research | Definition, guide & examples. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/mixed-methods-research Philippa, R., Ann, H., Jacqueline, M., & Nicola, A. (2021). Professional identity in nursing: A mixed method research study. Nurse Education in Practice, 52, 103039. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103039 Pros and cons of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method research. (2018). UK Essays | UKEssays. https://www.ukessays.com/essays/psychology/a-study-on-using-mixed-methods-in-research-psychology-essay.php Research guides: Nursing resources: Qualitative vs quantitative. (2022, March 31). Research Guides at University of Wisconsin-Madison. https://researchguides.library.wisc.edu/c.php?g=861013&p=61​‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍​70079