critically appraise a research design
Discuss what is meant by the term Qualitative Research
The study, sampling, data collection, analysis, rigor, findings and limitations
Discuss what you understand by the term Quantitative Research – Use the following dot points to guide your discussion (give reasons for your argument and support with references)
Critique the Quantitative Research Report – Use the following headings to guide your critique (in all discussions and explanations give reasons for your argument and support with references)
Critically Appraise a Research Design
Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is an exploratory research method focused on understanding meanings, experiences, and views through non-numerical data. It often involves open-ended data collection methods like interviews, focus groups, and observations, enabling a deep understanding of social phenomena.
Study: Qualitative studies aim to explore complex phenomena within their contexts. These studies often have broad research questions that evolve during the research process. They focus on understanding “how” and “why” questions.
Sampling: Purposeful sampling is common in qualitative research, where participants are selected based on their ability to provide rich, relevant, and diverse data related to the research question. The sample size is usually small and determined by data saturation, the point at which no new information or themes are observed in the data.
Data Collection: Data is collected through methods like in-depth interviews, focus groups, participant observations, and document analysis. These methods allow for the collection of rich, detailed data that provide insights into participants’ perspectives and experiences.
Analysis: Qualitative data analysis involves identifying, coding, and categorizing patterns and themes within the data. Methods like thematic analysis, content analysis, and grounded theory are used to interpret data. The analysis is often iterative, with data collection and analysis occurring simultaneously.
Rigor: Ensuring rigor in qualitative research involves credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. Techniques to enhance rigor include triangulation, member checking, rich, thick descriptions, and maintaining an audit trail.
Findings: Findings in qualitative research are presented as themes or narratives that provide a detailed understanding of the research topic. They often include direct quotes from participants to illustrate key points.
Limitations: Limitations of qualitative research may include researcher bias, limited generalizability, and the potential for subjectivity in data interpretation. Despite these limitations, qualitative research provides deep insights into complex issues.
References:
- Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2016). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. Sage Publications.
- Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods: Integrating Theory and Practice. Sage Publications.
Quantitative Research
Quantitative research involves the systematic investigation of phenomena through the collection and analysis of numerical data, often using statistical techniques. It aims to quantify variables, predict outcomes, and test hypotheses.
Study: Quantitative studies are designed to establish patterns, test theories, and make predictions. They typically have clear, specific research questions or hypotheses that guide the study design and data collection process.
Sampling: Quantitative research often uses probability sampling methods, such as random sampling, to ensure representativeness and generalizability of the findings. Sample sizes are usually larger compared to qualitative studies to allow for statistical analysis.
Data Collection: Data collection methods include surveys, questionnaires, experiments, and secondary data analysis. These methods generate numerical data that can be subjected to statistical analysis.
Analysis: Quantitative data analysis involves statistical techniques to test hypotheses, identify relationships between variables, and determine causality. Common methods include descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, regression analysis, and analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Rigor: Ensuring rigor in quantitative research involves reliability (consistency of the measurement) and validity (accuracy of the measurement). Techniques to enhance rigor include using validated instruments, ensuring proper sample size, and applying appropriate statistical analyses.
Findings: Findings in quantitative research are presented as statistical results, often including tables, graphs, and charts. They provide precise measurements and identify patterns or relationships between variables.
Limitations: Limitations of quantitative research may include lack of depth in understanding complex phenomena, potential biases in data collection instruments, and challenges in generalizing findings to broader populations. However, quantitative research provides robust evidence for testing hypotheses and establishing generalizable facts.
References:
- Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage Publications.
- Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing Practice. Wolters Kluwer.
Critique of a Quantitative Research Report
Title: The title should clearly reflect the study’s focus and the main variables or concepts investigated.
Abstract: The abstract should provide a concise summary of the study’s background, methods, results, and conclusions. It should allow readers to quickly ascertain the purpose and key findings of the research.
Introduction: The introduction should present the research problem, its significance, and the study’s objectives or hypotheses. It should review relevant literature to provide context and justify the study.
Methodology:
- Design: The research design (e.g., experimental, correlational) should be appropriate for the research question and clearly described.
- Sampling: The sampling method should be described, including the sample size, selection process, and any inclusion or exclusion criteria.
- Data Collection: The data collection methods should be detailed, including the instruments used, their validity and reliability, and the procedures followed.
- Data Analysis: The statistical techniques used for data analysis should be appropriate for the study’s design and data type. The rationale for selecting specific statistical tests should be provided.
Results: The results section should present the findings clearly and logically, using tables and figures as needed. The statistical results should be reported accurately, including measures of significance and effect sizes.
Discussion:
- Interpretation: The discussion should interpret the results in the context of the research question and existing literature. It should explain the implications of the findings and their relevance to the field.
- Limitations: The study’s limitations should be acknowledged, including any potential biases, methodological weaknesses, and areas for future research.
- Conclusions: The conclusions should summarize the key findings and their implications. They should be supported by the study’s results and provide recommendations for practice or further research.
References: The references should be current, relevant, and formatted according to the appropriate academic style (e.g., APA).
By systematically evaluating each section of the research report, you can assess the study’s overall quality, rigor, and contribution to the field.
References:
- Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing Practice. Wolters Kluwer.
- Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage Publications.