The Theoretical Foundations Of Qualitative And Quantitative Research

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.
“Quantitative research is a means for testing objective theories by examining the relationship among variables” CITATION Ing07 \l 1033 (Ingham-Broomfield, 2007). In a quantitative research, the variables may be controlled or change especially if it is an experimental study. Most data that are derived in this type of study is numerical which needs to be processed statistically.
A qualitative research on the other hand is when a researcher would seek to answer questions about how or why a specific occurrence happens. There are varied methods which are used in nursing researches such as ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory and qualitative description CITATION Mil10 \l 1033 (Miller, 2010).
The use of each method is used depending on the type of study being employed. However there are also instances where the use of both methods increases the reliability and validity of a study. This study may be called mixed methods, semi-quantitative, semi-qualitative or quasi-experimental study.
It is defined as:
““Research in which the investigator collects and analyzes data, integrates the findings, and draws inferences using both qualitative and quantitative approaches or methods in a single study or program of inquiry” CITATION Tas07 \l 1033 (Tashakkori & Creswell, 2007)
Although it started with anthropological and sociological studies before, it may also be used in nursing research. They use this type of study for the purpose of triangulation. This is using at least three types of data gathering...