The experimental type of research is the most common in science. Typically, it manipulates and controls variables, measuring the effects. These experimental designs include a control group, randomization, and intervention. An example of such an approach is the research of Ziaei et al. (2020), evaluating the efficacy and safety of Melatonin in COVID-19 patients. Quasi-experimental is similar to experimental; however, the subjects are carefully selected and not randomized. For instance, Annweiler et al. (2020) conducted a study examining Vitamin D’s effectiveness in improving COVID-19 survival rates among older adults. In contrast to these two types, non-experimental research does not include manipulation and control. The variables are observed and measured as they occur. Usually, it studies the relationship between two variables with no specific research question. The research about the correlation between antibiotic consumption and resistance to invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae made by Čižman et al. (2021) is non-experimental.
Although research and quality improvement may overlap in some cases, there are several significant differences. Quality improvement activities are employed for immediate improvement, compared to research which is often conducted and implemented with no urgency. Research may not always bear benefits for its subjects; quality improvement attempts to benefit the process. Lastly, quality improvement is aimed at management or healthcare deliverance, whereas research answers questions or tests hypotheses.
Both qualitative and quantitative research methods are used in such a workplace as an acute care medical hospital. Qualitative studies bring attention to the significance of social elements of medical workers and how they manage and respond to patients’ needs and issues. Such information collected through interviews and patient observations provides useful data since acute care deals directly with patients. Qualitative research helps investigate the precise ways of improving the quality and delivery of care.
References
Annweiler, C., Hanotte, B., de l’Eprevier, C. G., Sabatier, J. M., Lafaie, L., & Célarier, T. (2020). Vitamin D and survival in COVID-19 patients: A quasi-experimental study. The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology.
Čižman, M., Mioč, V., Bajec, T., Paragi, M., Kastrin, T., & Gonçalves, J. (2021). Correlation between antibiotic consumption and resistance of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae. Antibiotics, 10(7), 758.
Ziaei, A., Davoodian, P., Dadvand, H., Safa, O., Hassanipour, S., Omidi, M.,… & Fathalipour, M. (2020). Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Melatonin in moderately ill patients with COVID-19: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 21(1), 1-3.