Introduction
Nursing research is an important aspect of nurses’ professional practice since the possibility of studying a specific topic or problem in detail makes it possible to improve individual qualifications. For employees of this profile, it is essential to be aware of the key principles of work in this direction to follow the current strategies of finding the necessary information and applying personal experience. The purpose of this work is to identify the main types of nursing research and its components, including the analysis of methodologies and sampling practices for conducting credible studies.
Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is a methodology that makes it possible to implement a specific task by analyzing the data in digital correlation, which, in turn, allows obtaining an accurate picture of a particular problem. The designs of such a practice may differ, and one of the varieties is the controlled design that, as Rutberg and Bouikidis (2018) state, helps study a certain issue through an accurate measurement system. One of the important advantages of this methodology is the use of a clear assessment system that allows interpreting specific data in accordance with given parameters. In general, quantitative research improves nursing practice by providing the unambiguous outcomes of interventions and an opportunity to compare information for its thorough analysis.
Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is a valuable tool that simplifies the process of finding relevant data through interaction with the target audience, which helps avoid false conclusions and collect the most reliable information. A cohort study design is one of the types of such a methodology. According to Sawaengdee et al. (2016), this approach implies engaging different groups of people in repeated polls. This design allows obtaining the most detailed data about a particular problem from different perspectives. In general, qualitative research is a common methodology that is valuable to nursing practice and can improve it due to an opportunity to receive source data from the target audience directly.
Research Sampling
Sampling is a necessary technique for conducting research of any type. This procedure implies selecting the necessary parameters from a wide range, and depending on the design used, the nature and specificity of this activity vary. In quantitative research, statistical sampling is often used, and, as McCrae and Purssell (2016) argue, its “aim is inference to a population” (p. 2285). Another method that is also utilized in nursing research is theoretical sampling. This is a valuable tool for collecting data since all the information is analyzed in accordance with different criteria, and based on the conclusions made, optimal parameters are selected.
Credible Nursing Practice
In case junior medical employees use research in their practice, this is an additional measure of how to make professional activities safer. Any data for interventions are reasonable and reliable, which eliminates errors and the incorrect interpretation of information. For creating an evidence-based nursing practice, research is critical because healthcare workers are able to apply all the findings reasonably and prevent violations in the performance of their immediate responsibilities.
Conclusion
Research plays a significant role in nursing practice, and the analysis of widely used designs, along with sampling techniques, makes it possible to assess their importance for professional work. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies differ in the principles of data collection and interpretation, and sample procedures vary depending on the types of studies. Evidence-based research is an important component of nursing practice due to an opportunity to minimize errors and obtain the most reliable data on a specific issue.
References
McCrae, N., & Purssell, E. (2016). Is it really theoretical? A review of sampling in grounded theory studies in nursing journals. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(10), 2284-2293.
Rutberg, S., & Bouikidis, C. D. (2018). Focusing on the fundamentals: A simplistic differentiation between qualitative and quantitative research. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 45(2), 209-213.
Sawaengdee, K., Tangcharoensathien, V., Theerawit, T., Thungjaroenkul, P., Thinkhamrop, W., Prathumkam, P.,… Thinkhamrop, B. (2016). Thai nurse cohort study: Cohort profiles and key findings. BMC Nursing, 15(1), 10.