Thompson C B, Walker B L
University of Utah, College of Nursing, Salt Lake City 84112, USA.
Air Med J. 1998 Apr-Jun;17(2):65-70. doi: 10.1016/s1067-991x(98)90022-0.
Although both the assumptions and methods of qualitative and quantitative approaches in nursing research are different, both have the goal of furthering the scientific basis for practice. A variety of qualitative approaches are available, and which approach to use depends on the purpose of the research. In general, qualitative investigations address broad questions related to description, discovery, or theory building, and, as a consequence, the researcher is concerned with the entire context surrounding the phenomenon of interest rather than concentrating on specific variables thought to influence that phenomenon. The type of data collected and the methods of analysis differ, but qualitative research demands the same careful attention to selecting a design appropriate to answer the research question and the same assurance of rigor in conducting the research and interpreting the results as is required in quantitative studies. When these issues are thoroughly addressed, the clinician has a basis for judging both the accuracy and the applicability of qualitative research findings.
尽管护理研究中定性和定量方法的假设与方法各不相同，但二者都旨在推进实践的科学基础。有多种定性方法可供选择，具体使用哪种方法取决于研究目的。一般来说，定性研究解决与描述、发现或理论构建相关的宽泛问题，因此，研究者关注的是围绕感兴趣现象的整个背景，而非专注于那些被认为会影响该现象的特定变量。收集的数据类型和分析方法有所不同，但定性研究同样需要谨慎选择适合回答研究问题的设计，并像定量研究一样确保在开展研究和解释结果时的严谨性。当这些问题得到充分解决时，临床医生就有了判断定性研究结果准确性和适用性的依据。
