Quantitative Study Designs
According to Polit, and Beck, (2012), quantitative research designs are essential in studies that focus on variables measurable in numerical terms. Such study designs include but not limited to descriptive, correlational, causal-comparative and experimental research designs. In essence, this discussion centers on identifying a suitable quantitative research design that can address three research questions adequately, its strengths and weaknesses as well as the rationale for selecting this study design. By so doing, a new understanding of the quantitative research designs is inevitable.
Study Design Selection
Among the six research questions, three research questions that one can address them with one type of research design include: (How effective are anti-depressive medications on anxiety and depression? For patients of 70 years and older, how effective is the use of the influenza vaccine at preventing flu as compared to patients who have not received the vaccine? What is the difference between self-efficacy scores in older adults who exercise and the scores of those who do not?).
The single and most appropriate quantitative study design for these questions is the causal-comparative research. Causal-comparative research refers to a type of study design that seeks to establish relationships between independent and dependent variables after the occurrence of an event (Houser, 2015).
Strengths and Weaknesses
Causal-comparative research designs bear certain advantages that are worth noting. A case in point of such strengths is its ability to study interventions such as medications that one cannot withhold or manipulate because such an action is unethical. Additionally, it bears the advantage of simplicity since it is easy to carry out (Houser, 2015). With such benefits, causal-comparative research designs are attractive in this sense.
Despite the cited strengths, a causal-comparative research design is not devoid of weaknesses. For instance, one cannot draw a definitive conclusion about the cause and effect of a particular phenomenon from this design. Moreover, the researcher cannot ensure extraneous variables do not affect the outcome in this research design given the forfeit of the control of independent variable (Houser, 2015).
Rationale for Selection
Central to the selection of this study design is the nature of the three research questions. Characteristic of the research questions addressed by causal-comparative study design is the need for establishing the effect of one independent variable on a dependent variable by comparing two or more groups of individuals (Salkind, 2010). In essence, the three research questions are reflective of this phenomenon and therefore making causal-comparative research the most appropriate quantitative study design.
Conclusion
Concisely, this discussion aimed at identifying a suitable quantitative research design that can address three research questions effectively, its strengths and weaknesses as well as the rationale for selecting this study design. Largely, the discussion has achieved this objective. An implication drawn from this analysis is that the adoption of study design is dependent on the research questions. As such, one must determine the suitability of a study design before seeking to answer the research questions.
References
Houser, J. (2015). Nursing research: Reading, using, and creating evidence.Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2012). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Salkind, N. J. (2010). Encyclopedia of research design. London: SAGE.
