Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed 1
Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Method Studies
It is essential for nurses to participate in research. “The general purpose of nursing
research is to answ
...
Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed 1
Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Method Studies
It is essential for nurses to participate in research. “The general purpose of nursing
research is to answer questions or solve problems of relevance to nursing” [Pol12]. There are two
main types of research techniques, quantitative and qualitative. The purpose of this paper is to
examine and critique two research articles, one quantitative and one qualitative, contrast the
information gained from the two articles, and provide insight on the research techniques.
Quantitative research is collected according to an established strategy, using designed
means to obtain information [Pol12]. Information gathered for a quantitative study is numeric,
from a precise measurement and is analyzed statistically [Pol12]. Qualitative research is focused
on understanding the human experience as it is lived [Pol12]. Qualitative information is narrative
and subjective [Pol12]. A quantitative study by Parisi et al., (2016) was reviewed, along with a
qualitative study by Browne et al., (2014). Parisi et al., (2016) uses a before and after study to
assess the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in an intensive care unit (ICU)
and to observe the effects of the implementation of ventilator bundles and staff education on its
occurrence. The population sample includes 362 patients. Browne et al., (2014), uses a
qualitative survey design that pursued to characterize physician opinions surrounding the
diagnostic and management practice for VAP in the United Kingdom (UK). The population
sample includes 339 physicians from the UK Intensive Care Society.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Two Articles
Each research design is conducted in different ways. Both designs have advantages and
disadvantages. The quantitative study by Parisi et al., (2016) focuses on the occurrence of VAP
rates and ways to decrease that occurrence, while the qualitative study by Browne et al., (2014)
Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed 2
focuses on physician opinion on how they diagnose and treat VAP, and how it varies from
guidelines printed.
An advantage of quantitative research is that allows researchers to measure and analyze
data. Relationships between independent and dependent variables are observed and studied.
Parisi et al., (2016) was able to implement ventilator bundles and observe how VAP rates
decreased over a 24-month period. The baseline VAP rate was 21.6 per 1,000 ventilator days,
and after the implement
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