Qualitative Research: Concepts and Methods

Name: __________________________ Date: _____________
Midterm ASSIGNMENT: Due October 22, 2018
Total points=40 (20% of the grade)
This is an individual assignment. All questions must be answered and justified for credit.
Name the file with your last name before attaching to Black Board
1. In the United States, in what area does research play an important role in nursing?
A) Chronic illness
B) Credentialing and status
C) Nurses' personalities
D) Nurses' education
Nursing research provides knowledge that aids in promoting nursing practice. According
to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) (2018), nursing research can be
classified into three categories: Clinical, nursing education, and health system and outcomes
research. Nursing education research refers to the learning methods which students learn the
profession. In nursing education, students learn designs and analysis methods of research, which
form the basis for utilizing evidence based approaches in their practice. They become aware of
how to examine, analyze, and apply new knowledge to promote patients’ safety and positive
health outcomes.
2. Mixed methods research involves the collection, analysis, and integration of what type
of data?
A) Quantitative only
B) Qualitative only
C) Both quantitative and qualitative
D) Neither quantitative nor qualitative
Mixed methods research comprises the analysis and combination of both quantitative
and qualitative data in order to promote detailed exploration of complex phenomenon. Research
in health services may involve complex systems and multilevel systems that may require the
utilization of both quantitative and qualitative data (Curry et al. 2013). Mixed methods studies
utilize the advantages of both qualitative and quantitative approaches to develop an innovative
method to address contemporary health issues. The methodology allows for a more complete
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integrated use of both types of data as opposed to separate quantitative and qualitative methods
thus can be ideally applied in analyzing complex processes and systems in healthcare.
3. What is the goal of explanatory research?
A) Understand the underpinnings of natural phenomena and to explain systematic
relationships among them.
B) Begins with the phenomenon of interest, but rather than simply observing and
describing it, exploratory research investigates the full nature of the phenomenon,
the manner in which it is manifested, and the other factors to which it is related.
C) Study phenomena about which little is known.
D) Make predictions and to control phenomena based on research findings.
Explanatory research is conducted to examine a problem which has not been well
investigated before. It allows the researcher to examine a hypothetical idea, and explore the
research with varying levels of depth. The researcher begins with a general idea where new
information is added to the existing limited knowledge on the issue, and uses the study as a tool
to develop subjects that would be the basis for future research.
4. What is data saturation?
A) Sampling to the point at which new information is continually obtained
B) Sampling to the point at which new information is continually obtained with no
redundancy
C) Sampling to the point at which no new information is obtained with any
redundancy
D) Sampling to the point at which no new information is obtained and redundancy is
achieved
Data saturation is a phenomenon in qualitative research study and refers to sampling to
the point where additional data will not lead to more information in relation to the research
question. The theory of data saturation is used to determine when to discontinue data collection
or analysis in qualitative research.
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5. There are several resources to support evidence-based practice. What is meta-synthesis?
A) Qualitative, narrative approach to integration of a study
B) Quantitative method that integrate findings statistically
C) Synthesis and appraisal of research evidence with specific recommendations
D) Set of interventions to treat or prevent a cluster of symptoms
Meta-synthesis is the systematic review and integration of results from different inter-
related qualitative studies. Using the meta-synthesis methods, a researcher is able to obtain a
significant volume of research evidence and a wide range of participants and descriptions. The
systematic data collection, analysis, and interpretation of results across different interrelated
studies make meta-synthesis valuable research tools for deeply and broadly interpreting the
perceptions and meanings of the participants because of the integration of studies from different
contexts of healthcare.
6. A student nurse is trying to find out what a mixed methods synthesis is. What is a mixed
methods synthesis?
A) Integrate and synthesize both quantitative and qualitative evidence.
B) Integrate quantitative evidence.
C) Integrate and synthesize qualitative evidence.
D) Integrate qualitative evidence.
Mixed method synthesis is the systematic review and integration evidence from both
quantitative and qualitative studies within the common field of empirical research. In addition,
the data used include results from interrelated primary quantitative and qualitative studies. Mixed
research synthesis studies focus on the integrating others researcher’s reports to develop a target
phenomenon. The results of the mixed result synthesis will, therefore, be valuable in directing
future research and practice.
7. What is the research tradition that focuses on understanding phenomena within a
cultural context?
A) Experimental
B) Phenomenological
C) Ethnographic
D) Grounded theory
Ethnographic research tradition focuses on understanding the practices, perceptions, and
social interactions within groups, communities, and organizations. Ethnographic research studies
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provide rich information and holistic understanding of the nature, perceptions, and behaviors of
specific people within a local setting.
8. What is the research design in qualitative studies called?
A) Experimental
B) Narrative
C) Interpretive
D) Emergent
While conducting a qualitative study, the researcher may discover and adapt new ideas or
evidence, the collection, and analysis of data which may promote the generation of rich output
information. An emergent research study is less structured and encourages the integration of new
information. However, the emergent approach involves the interpretation of data at the point of
presentation. Therefore researcher reports the results as a reflection of the changing
characteristics from each point of presentation of evidence due to the integration of new data
during the research process.
9. Written literature reviews are undertaken for many different purposes. In a qualitative
research report, what section of the report would the thematic analysis of the data be
presented?
A) Introduction
B) Methods
C) Results
D) Discussion
In the results section, the researcher will present the thematic analyzed data from the
literature review. Thematic analysis involves systematically identifying, analyzing, and reporting
patterns within data by assessing the commonalities, theoretical constructs, explanatory principles,
and relationships.
10. An approach used to acquire nursing knowledge that describes life experiences is classified
as:
A) Qualitative research
B) Quantitative research
C) Experimental research
D) Quasi experimental research
Qualitative research involves the exploration of perception, meanings, and understanding
of specific groups in the society in regards to social interactions in a particular setting. Therefore,
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