Nursing Research Paradigms: Quantitative vs. Qualitative Approaches for DNP Nurses

Nursing’s knowledge development through theory and research is underpinned by two philosophical orientations: positivism (quantitative) and the naturalistic, humanistic approach (qualitative). Importantly, both types of research are valid. The two types of research generate different types of nursing knowledge through selected research methods (Gray & Grove, 2021). The DNP-prepared nurse uses both types of research. Gaining an understanding and learning to critique the different types of research is integral to the work of the DNP-prepared nurse. As you consider the Global Burden of Disease and National Practice Problems, your search for recent research will allow you to focus on an area of interest related to a practice problem.

As you gain knowledge about these equally important ways to conduct research, you will learn to discern quantitative (positivism, empirics) and qualitative (interpretive human science) research paradigms. As you consider these two paradigms of nursing research, you will have a better understanding of the different types of research in the manuscripts you are critiquing. You will use the Johns Hopkins Appraisal Tool as a step-by-step process to discern the quality of what you are reading. Knowing how to use this tool to discern the level (I, II, III, or IV) and quality (A, B, and C) of the evidence will be a foundational competency for the DNP-prepared nurse. Mastery of these skills will provide the foundation for building the required research to support your future work as a DNP-prepared nurse.

Quantitative research is a systematic inquiry that tests a hypothesis, determines cause and effect relationship between variables, and makes predictions. Quantitative research determines the relationship between one variable (an independent variable) and another (a dependent or outcome variable) within a population. When you review a quantitative research article, you will see the use of numbers, statistical analysis, measurement using valid tools, and an objective approach by the researcher. There are four types of quantitative research you will recognize as you search the literature:

Experimental

Quasi-experimental

Correlational

Nonexperimental (descriptive, etc.)

Selecting Evidence and Information Resources

Honing literary search skills is an ongoing learning process. When you have mastered the literature search, you will have both the confidence and the ability to identify appropriate research evidence related to your practice problem. Credible sources of research evidence come from many resources, and the DNP-prepared nurse must be familiar with these resources. Searching in only one database limits your ability to locate the most current evidence. The DNP student must possess a toolbox of skills to learn search techniques and to critically appraise evidence. These skills include an understanding of what constitutes the best research evidence and knowledge of where to find it.

You may already be somewhat familiar with library databases. These databases provide an electronic search index of a collection of literature. Examples of databases to inform evidence-based practice include the following:

Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL)

Medical Literature Online (MEDLINE)

Health and Psychosocial Instruments (HaPI)

As you continue learning search techniques, you will find there are also specific sources for evidence-based research and systematic reviews in the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Cochrane Library.

You will begin your search this week. You will discover the importance of choosing specific keywords related to a practice problem you would like to explore. For example, you may be thinking about the need to improve care related to screening for postpartum depression. Your search terms might include one of the following combinations:

Postpartum depression AND Research

Postpartum depression AND Screening

You will also learn how to use the limiters to help you find the most recent, relevant, peer-reviewed research.

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