LESSON 5: METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF NURSING RESEARCH
INTRODUCTION OF THE LESSON AND LEARNING OUTCOME
Research methods pertain to researchers' techniques in organizing a study and
collecting and analyzing pertinent data. The positivist and constructivist paradigms coincide
with the various methods of generating evidence. What are the research methods
associated with positivism and constructivism?
At the end of this lesson, you must have discussed the research methods related to
positivism and constructivism.
WARM-UP ACTIVITY
Below are paired words. Complete the terms by supplying the missing letters.
QUA_I_A_I_E ---------------- C _ N _ T _ U _ _ _ V _ S M
Q U A _ T _ _ A _ _ _ E ---------------- _ O _ I _ I _ _ _ M
LEARNING INPUTS
A fundamental methodological differentiation exists between quantitative research
and qualitative inquiry. Quantitative research is closely associated with positivism, while
qualitative research is allied with constructivism.
The Scientific Method and Quantitative Research
Traditionally, the positivist scientific method uses a series of orderly steps to collect
data. Quantitative researchers systematically proceed from defining the problem to solving
the problem based on an initial plan. Objective methods devised to control the research
situation are used by quantitative researchers to minimize bias and maximize validity.
Furthermore, to test a theory or hypothesis, quantitative researchers collect
empirical evidence grounded in objective reality using the senses and formal instruments.
Typically, the quantitative method's information is in the numeric form produced from
precise measurement analyzed statistically. Besides, quantitative researchers' crucial goal is
to generalize study results to people other than those who participated in the study
(generalizability). In other words, the research findings apply not only to the study
participants but also to other individuals sharing similar characteristics and situations with
them.
Although the traditional scientific method was utilized productively by nurse
researchers, it has limitations. Not all relevant information is measurable. For instance, the
majority of psychological phenomena, such as stress or resilience, cannot be measured
precisely and accurately. Contrarily, physiologic phenomena such as temperature, and blood
pressure, can be quantified exactly without error. Another limitation of the traditional
scientific method is that it cannot capture the entirety of diverse and complicated human
experiences. The traditional scientific method limits its focus to a small aspect or few
concepts of individuals’ experiences and controls or eliminates complexities. Thus,
quantitative research allied with positivism was accused of narrowness and rigidity that
prevent a thorough understanding of holistic human experiences.
Constructivist Methods and Qualitative Research
Researchers who subscribe to constructivist traditions highlight individuals' innate
complexity and their ability to structure personal experiences. Accordingly, studies under the
constructivist paradigm are directed toward understanding human lived experiences via
rigorous collection and analysis of narrative and subjective data.
Unlike researchers using the traditional scientific method, constructivist researchers
stress the changing, complex, and holistic human life dimensions. They endeavor to capture
human life and experiences holistically within the context of participants experiencing them.
In naturalistic settings, the qualitative researcher uses flexible, evolving procedures
to gain findings emerging from the study. Gathering and analysis of data usually progress
simultaneously. During the conduct of the study, qualitative researchers sift data to gain
insights. As researchers do this step, new questions come to light, and they seek additional
evidence to support the insights. By progressing from specifics to general (inductive
process), qualitative researchers merge information to formulate a theory or description
that elucidates the studied phenomena.
Research studies that follow the constructivist paradigm produce rich and in-depth
information that clarifies the different aspects of complex phenomena. Qualitative research
findings are rooted in the real-life experiences of individuals possessing first-hand
knowledge about the phenomena of interest. However, the qualitative method has its
limitations. The instrument directly used to collect information are individuals who are
highly intelligent but imperfect and prone to errors. The subjectivity that promotes the
richness of competent inquirers' analytic insights can produce insignificant findings among
less-skilled researchers.
Another limitation confronting constructivist inquirers involves subjectivity that gives
rise to issues regarding the conclusions' individual nature. Two constructivist inquirers
investigating similar phenomena in comparable settings may not arrive at the same
conclusions. Thus, constructivist researchers could not generalize their qualitative findings to
individuals in the same situation and with similar characteristics to the study participants.
The two paradigms (positivism and constructivism) and methods (quantitative and
qualitative) are often complementary in their strengths and limitations. Although there are
differences between the two paradigms, features common to the methods allied with the
two paradigms exist.
As to the ultimate goal, both quantitative and qualitative investigators strive to
capture the truth regarding the phenomena of interest to answer questions and solve
problems. Researchers in both positivist and constructivist paradigms collect and analyze
evidence empirically, using their senses. Besides, quantitative and qualitative researchers
rely mainly on human cooperation since the information comes from them. Thus, regardless
of the paradigm and method, researchers need to convince individuals to participate in the
study and provide honest responses. Further, researchers involving humans as participants
need to follow ethical guidelines and address ethical concerns irrespective of the paradigms
and methods. Lastly, limitations are inherent in all studies, which means that no single study
can offer a definite answer to a research question.
In conclusion, the researchers’ philosophy and worldview and the research questions
asked dictate the appropriate inquiry method. Likewise, the researchers’ worldviews help to
frame their questions.
CENTRAL ACTIVITY
Activity 1
The table below shows the methods for obtaining research data or evidence. Identify
the best methods that apply to each paradigm (positivism or constructivism) and research
approach (quantitative or qualitative). Using the table below, write your responses in the
second column (for the paradigm) and the third column (for the research approach). Once
finished, please take a photo of your output and post it in the discussion forum for this
lesson.
Methods for Obtaining Evidence Paradigms (Positivism Research Approaches
or Constructivism) (Quantitative or
Qualitative)
Deductive process (testing hypothesis)
Inductive process (generating hypothesis)
Emphasis on the entirety of phenomena
Emphasis on separate, specific concepts
Focus on the objective and measurable
Focus on the subjective and
immeasurable
Emerging insight rooted in participants’
experiences
Confirmation of investigators’ predictions
Fixed, pre-specified design
Flexible, emergent design
Context-bound, contextualized
Controls over context or setting
Narrative data
Measured data
Statistical analysis
Thematic analysis
Seeks generalizations
Seeks in-depth understanding
WRAP-UP ACTIVITY
Based on your learning in this lesson, what is your impression of nursing research's
methodological foundation? Please provide a concise answer and limit your response to
three sentences for each of the two categories shown in the table. Indicate your responses
in the second column of the table below. Afterwards, kindly take a photo of your output and
post it in the discussion forum for this lesson.
Methodological Impression
Foundation
Positivist Scientific
Method and
Quantitative
Research
Constructivist
Method and
Qualitative Research
ASSESSMENT (POST-ASSESSMENT)
A ten-item quiz will be used to assess your understanding of the research methods
associated with positivism and constructivism. You will take the exam during our next class
session.
REFERENCES
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods
approaches (4th ed). SAGE Publication, Inc.
Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2014). Essentials of nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing
practice (8th ed.). Lippincott Williams &Wilkins.
