Quantitative research methods may be somewhat less useful in nursing because of which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
A) Qualitative methods are the preferred method to study nursing phenomena.
B) Nursing ethics require more stringent controls than are required by quantitative methods.
C) Many phenomena of interest to nurses are not amenable to study in tightly controlled circumstances.
D) The complexity of human beings makes it difficult to break problems into statements that can be tested.
E) Patient perceptions of experiences may have significant effects on their health behaviors.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nursing phenomena often involve complex human experiences that may not be easily quantified or studied in controlled circumstances. Additionally, the complexity of human beings and their behaviors can make it difficult to break down problems into testable statements. Patient perceptions and experiences may also have significant effects on their health behaviors, making qualitative methods particularly useful in capturing these nuances. However, it is important to note that quantitative methods can still be valuable in some aspects of nursing research, particularly when studying more concrete, measurable outcomes such as treatment efficacy or patient health status. Nursing ethics also require stringent controls, but this does not necessarily make quantitative methods less useful; in fact, rigorous controls are essential for high-quality research regardless of the methodology used.

Quantitative Research Methods May Be Somewhat Less Useful in Nursing