Quantitative research consists of information expressed in numbers, variables, and percentages. It seeks to confirm that all problems, dilemmas, or hypotheses have clear, concrete, and objective solutions that can be expressed in a numerical format. This type of research focuses on specific, narrow questions in a double-blind study, usually with a large random group and variables. The data collected can be analyzed with the help of statistics in an unbiased manner with the objective to explain, describe, or predict.
Helpful Website Links on Quantitative Research in Nursing
Quantitative research is usually conducted in a controlled environment, such as a lab or healthcare unit. It can be categorized as follows.
3 Types of Quantitative Research
Correlational research is the methodical investigation of relationships or interactions between two or more variables without determining the cause-and-effect relationship the variables may have on each other. An example is studying two chemotherapy medications for compatibility without studying how the medications can have adverse interactions with food or other common medications.
Quasi-experimental research explores a cause-and-effect relationship among variables. It also evaluates the underlying cause of a problem and studies the effects of variables (such as a nursing intervention) to evaluate their effect on the problem.
Descriptive research offers an accurate representation of the characteristics of a particular individual, situation, or group. Descriptive research is a way of discovering new meaning, describing numerically something that currently exists, determining the frequency with which something occurs, and categorizing information.
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Related terms that may be searched:
Bayesian statistics
Correlation
Effect size
Error of measurement
Factor analysis
Goodness of fit
Hypothesis testing
Item analysis
Least squares
Monte Carlo Methods
Maximum likelihood
Multivariate analysis
Regression (statistics)
Robustness (statistics)
Statistical analysis
Statistical inference
Statistical significance
Hypothesis testing
Markov processes
Also the following may be use, but not restricted to Subject Terms
Experimental design, design of experiments, statistical design, or research design