Nursing 360: Quantitative vs Qualitative Research

In general, quantitative research seeks to understand the causal or correlational relationship between variables through testing hypotheses, whereas qualitative research seeks to understand a phenomenon within a real-world context through the use of interviews and observation. Both types of research are valid, and certain research topics are better suited to one approach or the other. However, it is important to understand the differences between qualitative and quantitative research so that you will be able to conduct an informed critique and analysis of any articles that you read, because you will understand the different advantages, disadvantages, and influencing factors for each approach. 

The table below illustrates the main differences between qualitative and quantitative research. Important Note: These are generalizations, and not every research study or article will fit neatly into these categories. 

Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, integrative reviews, and scoping reviews are not exactly designs, but they synthesize, analyze, and compare the results from many research studies and are somewhat quantitative in nature. However, they are not truly quantitative or qualitative studies.

References:

LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2014). Nursing research: Methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice (8^th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.

Melnyk, B.M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2019). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

• Filter by article type. PubMed, CINAHL, and other databases will allow you to filter by article type (in PubMed, filters are on the left hand side of the page once you've done a search; in CINAHL, filters are below the three search boxes before you search). Searching for randomized controlled trials or clinical trials can be good places to start, but those certainly aren't the only quantitative studies. For qualitative studies, you could start by filtering to interviews, personal narratives, or observational studies.
• Look at systematic reviews. While reviews themselves don't often fit well into either the "quantitative" or "qualitative" categories, they do synthesize articles in those categories. Qualitative systematic reviews will often note that they are a "qualitative systematic review." If you find one that seems relevant, look to see if any of the articles they collected fit your research topic.
• Look closely at the methods and results. Quantitative studies will often include statistical analysis. Qualitative studies will often include textual analysis, interview analysis, and theory development.
• Ask for help! Librarians can help you find different kinds of relevant research. Reach out to the nursing librarian, Aine O'Connor (aine.oconnor@sdstate.edu) for more help.

Much of the content on this page was borrowed from and used with permission of the Stevenson University Library.

Not all research studies and articles are 100% qualitative or 100% quantitative. A mixed methods study involves both qualitative and quantitative approaches. If you need a study that's purely qualitative or purely quantitative, look carefully at the methodology section of the article to see if it used a single method or a combination of methods. 

This 2-minute video provides a basic overview of the distinctions between quantitative and qualitative research.