Quantitative and qualitative | Nursing homework help
Quantitative research is based on numbers and statistics, with a focus on using scientific rigor to make sure that results are reliable and valid. This requires the researcher to use rigorous methods for data collection and analysis, such as surveys or experiments. Additionally, it is important for quantitative research to have an adequate sample size of participants in order to ensure that results can be generalized beyond the immediate context from which they were collected.
Qualitative research focuses more on the meaning behind experiences, opinions, and feelings. In this type of research, reliability and validity are replaced by trustworthiness. Trustworthiness refers to how well researchers capture their participants’ views accurately in order to create meaningful interpretations of the data. This includes developing relationships with participants so they feel comfortable sharing honest responses while also ensuring that any biases are minimized through careful observation techniques. Ultimately, both quantitative and qualitative research rely on scientific rigor in terms of methods used for data collection and analysis; however, each approach prioritizes different aspects of accuracy depending upon their focus areas.