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
BIMPE
Putting It Together
Evaluate a DNP QI project that used a mixed methods approach
Frazier (2023) used a mixed methods research design to investigate secondary traumatic stress (STS) in emergency room (ER) nurses using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The study is important for understanding the personal experiences of ER nurses and the effects of STS and how they cope with it. The mixed methods design provides a comprehensive view of STS. The study is highly relevant for developing interventions to support ER nurses which is supported in the study by Salameh et al. (2023). The study could inform Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives to improve nurse well-being, but it was limited by a small sample size that reduces generalizability. Self-reported data may have biased the results and the lack of longitudinal data makes it hard to assess long-term effects. The implications for practice suggest that ER nurses should be provided with support programs and coping strategies. The results can be used to inform QI projects aimed at reducing STS and improving nurse retention and patient care. The study provides important insights for both research and practice in healthcare settings. The results demonstrated the critical need for organizations to develop strategies against STS, which was based on the research design that was used.
The research design provided a solid foundation for the results with critical requirement for organizations to develop strategies against STS. An EBP project could be developed to create and evaluate a structured support intervention for emergency nurses who are at risk of STS.
What was the relationship to the practice-focused question to the use of the quantitative and the qualitative results
The practice-focused question in this study was on the ways in which secondary traumatic stress affects emergency nurses and how it affects them in their personal and professional lives, and to develop interventions or support systems to help them. The quantitative results allowed the measurement of STS levels among nurses which provided statistical evidence about its prevalence and severity in this high-stress environment. While quantitative result was used to measure the prevalence and severity of STS symptoms using standardized tools. The qualitative results provided detailed insights into nurses’ personal experiences which showed how their work affected their emotions and mental state and what methods they used to cope, this exploring the lived experiences of nurses, including how they perceive, and are impacted by STS.
What was the effectiveness of each?
The quantitative results were able to measure STS occurrence and related risk factors, but the qualitative results offered detailed information about nurses’ individual experiences and emotional responses to their work. Wasti et al. (2022) stated the relevance of a mixed method of research with each quantitative and qualitative research methods addressing different types of questions in a research study. The relevance of mixed-methods approach directly supports the practice-focused question by offering both statistical evidence in quantitative research to quantify the problem and narrative insights in qualitative design to inform tailored interventions, education, or policy.
References
Frazier, M. C. (2023).
Examining the lived experience of secondary traumatic stress in emergency room nurses: A mixed methods study (Publication No. 30816304) [Doctoral dissertation, Saint Louis University]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.
Wasti, S. P., Simkhada, P., Van Teijlingen, E., Sathian, B., & Banerjee, I. (2022). The growing importance of mixed-methods research in health.
Nepal Journal of Epidemiology,
12(1), 1175-1178.
to an external site.
Salameh, B., Daibes, A. G., & Qaddumi, J. (2023). Assessing the prevalence, predictors, and consequences of secondary traumatic stress among emergency nurses in Palestine during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SAGE Open Nursing,
9.
