Question

The theoretical foundations of qualitative and quantitative methods are very different, but many researchers believe both methods should be used in the research study to increase validity and reliability. What advantages or disadvantages do you see in using both types of methods in a nursing study? Support your answer with current evidence-based literature

Answer 1

Nursing research is conducted by using different types of methods such as qualitative, quantitative, experimental, quasi-experimental, correlation, and descriptive method. Qualitative research is considered as exploratory research for the deep understanding of the research problem and provides a way for quantitative research. In some studies, both qualitative and quantitative methods used in the studies are called Mixed methods of study.

Advantages of Mixed Method:

• Using both qualitative and quantitative method minimizes the weakness of the study. It increases the exploration and statistical analysis of the study.
• Mixed method increases the availability of research tools that helps to collect more comprehensive data.
• The results are validated more accurately and show additional evidence for supporting.
• Mixed methods combine thinking as well as reasoning.
• The findings are illustrated in both words as well as number.
• Mixed method reduces personal biases.

Disadvantages of Mixed method:

• Using both qualitative and quantitative method is time-consuming.
• Researchers need to be well-versed in both the data.
• More resources to be used for collecting both types of data.
• The result findings should be illustrated clearly for the better understanding of the audience.