Crucial Factors Researcher Must Consider in Choosing Research Design

Research design presents a structure of given scientific work by providing systematic process and directions of the research. The researcher, first and foremost is supposed to note the research method they choose will affect the conclusion and findings of the results. The main objective of the research is to obtain reliable observations that can help in comprehension of the phenomenon.

There are 3 research designs to pick from and these include qualitative and quantitative methods or combination of both. However, the researcher has to consider the kind of information they are looking for and the purpose of the study before they make a decision on which of these methods to use (Andrew & Halcomb, 2009). Advanced practice of nursing employs the two designs to carry out health care research with quantitative methods used in experiments that require cultural and social perspectives in terms of frequencies or trend while the qualitative techniques are used to describe phenomenon. The research designs above are umbrella bodies from which other designs arise.

The researcher is supposed to understand the nature of the phenomenon, whether it is ideal for data collection and whether data collected would be reliable or valid (Walker & SAS Institute, 2010). For example, if the purpose of the research is describing or observing, the researcher can employ descriptive designs like case study, naturalistic survey or observation. In the case where the goal is to predict, they can employ correlation techniques like cross sectional study or case control study.

Another factor worth considering would be just how reliable the information is supposed to be and ethical conduct of study, which at all stages of the research need to be applied (Walker & SAS institute, 2010). For example, an advanced Nursing Practice Researcher is supposed to avoid risks that could harm respondents.

They are supposed to take into consideration costs they will incur with their choice of design and whether there is any current scientific literature and theory on the study subject (Walker & SAS Institute 2010).

References

Andrew, S., & Halcomb, E. (2009). Mixed methods research for nursing and the health sciences. Chichester, U.K: Wiley-Blackwell Pub.

Walker, G. A., & SAS Institute. (2010). Common statistical methods for clinical research with SAS examples. Cary, N.C: SAS Institute.

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