Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research: Nursing

This article reports on a qualitative study, using focus groups as the data-gathering method. The use of focus groups and other types of interviews often indicates a qualitative study. Additionally, the methodology section of the article states that a qualitative approach, grounded theory, was used to analyze the focus group data.

This article reports on a qualitative investigation of participants' experiences. Exploring experiences is one of the main purposes of qualitative research. Additionally, the use of interviews and observation to collect data is an indication of a qualitative study.

This article is a report of a descriptive, cross-sectional study. The keywords "descriptive" and "cross-sectional" are indicators of quantitative research. Additionally, the article includes extensive statistical analysis, which is a further clue to identify this study as quantitative research.

This article reports on a cross-sectional study in a clinical setting. The cross-sectional design is an indicator of a quantitative study, as is the large sample size (1061 participants). The study used multiple surveys, questionnaires, and measurements scales to collect data in addition to structured interviews. Although interviews are typically used in qualitative studies, they can also be utilized in quantitative research; especially structured interviews, which ensure that all participants are asked the same questions in the same order so that there is greater consistency in the information collected. Another indicator that this study is quantitative is that it aimed to discover relationships among multiple variables.