Evaluation of Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Evaluation of Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Qualitative research uses text as data and analyzes the text for themes and patterns. An important part of qualitative research is saturation. This means that there is no set number of participants as in quantitative research. Instead, the researcher continues to seek participants until the same answers are being repeated (also called saturation)

There are numerous quantitative design methods, everything from descriptive to the gold standard of randomized controlled trials. In between are correlational and quasi-experimental. Other types of research are systematic reviews and meta-analyses (both types of literature reviews that combine multiple studies on the same topic and use the combined results to recommend practice changes). The purpose of the study and the research questions will determine the methods used in the study. 

Suggested Reading and Resources

Read Chapters 7- 11 and 22-26 in Polit and Beck (2021). For this activity, access the American Sentinel University library and locate and summarize two scholarly peer-reviewed quantitative and two scholarly peer-reviewed qualitative research articles (do not use systematic research reviews or literature reviews) on a single topic. The topic does not need to be the same as the one you are discussing in the other course activities. In this activity you need to provide a brief summary for each article.  The summary should include the purpose of the study, research question, sampling methodology, recruiting process, sample size, sample demographics and ethical considerations. Include a discussion of the research design, data collection methods, study results and recommendations of the researchers based on the results.  Discuss the levels of evidence of the four articles. Use the table in the front of Polit and Beck (also in Chapter 2) labeled “Quick Guide to an Evidence Hierarchy of Designs for Cause-Probing Questions. 

End your submission with a conclusion section, which compares and contrasts the strengths and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research.

Additional Instructions:

1.      All submissions should have a title page and reference page.

2.      Utilize a minimum of four scholarly resources (two quantitative resources and two qualitative resources).

3.      Adhere to grammar, spelling and punctuation criteria.

4.      Adhere to APA compliance guidelines.

5.      Adhere to the chosen Submission Option for Delivery of Activity guidelines.