Putting It Together
How might the use of qualitative and quantitative methods serve to provide answers for researchers regarding the challenges associated with articles provided this week? What can qualitative data provide that quantitative data cannot, and vice versa? How might a mixed methods approach fill in the gaps to provide a clearer understanding of the problem and potential solutions?
For this Discussion, reflect on an issue or problem outlined in the provided articles. Consider the relationship to a practice-focused question and the use of both qualitative and quantitative research methods and designs. Explore how these two methods might work well together. Consider how a mixed methods approach supports evidence-based practice.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
· Dang, D., Dearholt, S. L., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2021).
Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model & guidelines (4th ed.). Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
· Chapter 6, “Evidence of Appraisal: Research” (pp. 254–260)
· Bangura, F. (2024).
Development and evaluation of a nurse practitioner–directed intentional rounding strategy, and its impact on decreasing falls in a veterans long-term care facilityLinks to an external site.
(Publication No. 30991997) [Doctoral dissertation, Wilmington University]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.
· Khoja, A., & Moosa, L. (2023).
Impact of tailored interventions for patient safety (TIPS) to reduce fall rates
Links to an external site.
. MEDSURG Nursing, 32(2), 89–93.
· Tzeng, H.-M., & Yin, C.-Y. (2017).
A multihospital survey on effective interventions to prevent hospital falls in adults
Links to an external site.
. Nursing Economics, 35(6), 304–313.
Required Resources for Topic: Quality Improvement Project Assignment Options
· Frazier, M. C. (2023).
Examining the lived experience of secondary traumatic stress in emergency room nurses: A mixed methods studyLinks to an external site.
(Publication No. 30816304) [Doctoral dissertation, Saint Louis University]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.
· Karamichos, S. (2023).
The professional identity of the nurse practitioner: A mixed methods studyLinks to an external site.
(Publication No. 30634134) [Doctoral dissertation, Oklahoma City University]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.
· Medina, M. (2024).
Implementing motivational interviewing to improve medication adherence: A staff education projectLinks to an external site.
(Publication No. Order No. 30992260) [Doctoral dissertation, Walden University]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.
· Rampersad, M. (2023).
Oncology nurses, compassion fatigue and general health: A mixed-methods studyLinks to an external site.
. Walden University.
To prepare:
· Read and view the Learning Resources.
By Day 3 of Week 10
Post a response to the following prompts:
· Evaluate a DNP QI project that used a mixed methods approach (choose from the list).
· What was the relationship to the practice-focused question to the use of the quantitative and the qualitative results? (one paragraph)
· What was the effectiveness of each? (one paragraph)
By Day 6 of Week 10
Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts and
respond to
at least two of your colleagues on
two different days by expanding upon their reflections, making connections to your perceptions, and offering additional insights.
CLASS
In this discussion, you will reflect on an issue or problem outlined in the provided articles. Consider the relationship to a practice-focused question and the use of both qualitative and quantitative research methods and designs. Explore how these two methods might work well together. Consider how a mixed methods approach supports evidence-based practice.
Our interactive discussion addresses the following learning objectives:
· Analyze a research study and use it to consider a design for an evidence-based practice project
Post a response to the following prompts:
· Evaluate a DNP QI project that used a mixed methods approach (choose from the list in the Weekly Resources).
· What was the relationship to the practice-focused question to the use of the quantitative and qualitative results? (one paragraph)
· What was the effectiveness of each? (one paragraph)
We encourage you to read the question carefully to answer all aspects presented.
RESPOND TO THIS DISCUSSION POST
Tania
Evaluating a DNP QI Project Using Mixed Methods: Rampersad (2023)
Rampersad’s (2023) mixed-methods DNP project,
Oncology Nurses, Compassion Fatigue and General Health, presents a robust and methodologically sound investigation into how compassion fatigue impacts oncology nurses’ well-being. The study’s strength lies in its concurrent triangulation design, which equally weighted qualitative and quantitative data to gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon. This approach is particularly practical for exploring complex psychological and occupational health issues, such as compassion fatigue, which benefit from both statistical analysis and the richness of lived experience (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018). Integrating numeric data from validated instruments (e.g., Professional Quality of Life Scale and General Health Questionnaire) with narrative responses from participant interviews allowed for comprehensive insight into how compassion fatigue manifests and how oncology nurses perceive it. This mixed-methods approach aligns well with quality improvement (QI) goals by identifying measurable trends and illuminating systemic and cultural contributors to nurse burnout—factors that can inform targeted interventions (Bauer & Kirchner, 2020).
The relationship between the practice-focused question, centered on understanding the relationship between compassion fatigue and general health, and the use of both quantitative and qualitative data was tightly aligned. The quantitative component provided statistical evidence of the prevalence and severity of compassion fatigue and its correlation with nurses’ general health status. Meanwhile, the qualitative component offered contextual depth by exploring personal accounts of emotional exhaustion, coping mechanisms, and organizational influences. Together, these methods answered the practice question by quantifying the problem and offering rich, actionable insights into how it affects oncology nurses in their daily practice (Rampersad, 2023). This duality helped validate findings across datasets and ensured that proposed quality improvement strategies were evidence-based and experientially grounded.
In terms of effectiveness, the quantitative component successfully demonstrated a statistically significant inverse relationship between compassion fatigue and general health scores. This underscored the measurable toll that sustained emotional labor has on oncology nurses and justified the need for workplace wellness interventions. The qualitative findings were equally effective, highlighting themes such as emotional disconnection, lack of institutional support, and a culture of silence surrounding mental health. These narratives enriched the quantitative data and provided nuanced insight into the lived experiences behind the numbers. As Patton (2015) notes, qualitative data is particularly powerful in revealing systemic barriers and opportunities for change, which are often hidden in numeric summaries. Together, both strands of inquiry not only strengthened the internal validity of the findings but also ensured practical relevance for developing and implementing future staff support programs in oncology settings.
References
Bauer, M. S., & Kirchner, J. (2020). Implementation science: What is it and why should I care?
Psychiatry Research, 283, 112376.
to an external site.
Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018).
Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.
Patton, M. Q. (2015).
Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Rampersad, M. (2023).
Oncology nurses, compassion fatigue and general health: A mixed-methods study [Doctoral dissertation, Walden University]. Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies.
to an external site.
