Week 5 Chapter 6: Descriptive research design, mixed methods and meta-analysis Chapter 7: Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies Discussion Question – Week Five Based on your course reading assignments and your pending research problem, what type of study do you believe you are conducting, and please explain why? Reference Ruth M. Tappen. (2015). Nursing Research. Advanced Nursing Research: From Theory to Practice. (2nd ed.). ISBN-13: 9781284048308. ISBN-10: 1284048306. Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning
Based on my course reading assignments and my pending research problem, I believe the type of study I am conducting is a mixed methods research design. A mixed methods research design involves integrating both qualitative and quantitative research methods within a single study. This approach allows for the examination of a research problem from multiple perspectives and the collection of both subjective and objective data.
In my research problem, I am interested in exploring the experiences of patients with chronic pain in a primary care setting and also evaluating the effectiveness of a pain management intervention. By using a mixed methods research design, I will be able to gather rich qualitative data through interviews or focus groups with patients to explore their subjective experiences and understand how they cope with chronic pain. At the same time, I will also collect quantitative data through surveys or medical records to measure objective outcomes such as pain levels, functional status, and medication use.
The benefit of using a mixed methods approach in this study is that it will provide a comprehensive understanding of the research problem by combining the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Qualitative data will provide in-depth insights into the experiences, beliefs, and attitudes of patients, while quantitative data will allow for statistical analysis to examine the effectiveness of the pain management intervention. By integrating these two types of data, I can achieve a more holistic and nuanced understanding of the complex phenomenon of chronic pain in the primary care setting.
Additionally, a mixed methods approach will help to address potential limitations or biases that may arise from using only one research method. For example, relying solely on quantitative data may overlook important contextual factors and patient perspectives that are crucial for understanding the impact of chronic pain on patients’ lives. On the other hand, relying solely on qualitative data may limit the generalizability of findings and the ability to make definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of the pain management intervention. By using both methods together, I can overcome these limitations and strengthen the rigor and validity of my study.
Furthermore, a mixed methods research design aligns with the philosophy of pragmatism, which recognizes the value and importance of combining different research approaches to answer complex research questions. This approach acknowledges that different forms of data can provide unique insights and that a combination of methods can lead to a more comprehensive and robust understanding of the research problem. In my study on chronic pain in the primary care setting, a mixed methods approach will allow me to answer research questions that require both subjective (qualitative) and objective (quantitative) perspectives.
Overall, based on my course reading assignments and my research problem, a mixed methods research design is the most suitable approach for conducting my study. It will enable me to gather both qualitative and quantitative data, providing a comprehensive understanding of the experiences of patients with chronic pain and evaluating the effectiveness of a pain management intervention. By integrating these two types of data, I can overcome the limitations of using only one research method and achieve a more holistic and nuanced understanding of the research problem.