Qualitative research Free Essays

Qualitative research refers to â€Å"investigating the features of a market through in-depth research that explores the background and context for decision making†[1].   In another words, this type of research prefers other methods rather than the statistical analysis of data to obtain certain conclusion about the market and aims to research on the behaviour of the customers. There are two types of qualitative research methods. We will write a custom essay sample on Qualitative research or any similar topic only for you Order Now    The first one is depth interviewing.   Depth interviewing refers to one – on – one interviewing as the main tool of finding the customer’s preferences and opinions about a product, a service or a marketing campaign, for example. The second method is group discussions, in which the focus moves from the individual consumer to the group of potential customers[2].   The customers are brought together and discuss a certain product or service, analyzing the strength and weaknesses of that product and proposing ways by which its sales can be increased. In general, qualitative research is used â€Å"when more in depth or perceptual data is required†[3].   This means that, as a marketing tool, qualitative research will be used when attempting to obtain very focused information on consumer behavior an consumer reaction to a certain product or service. The first important advantage of such a marketing tool is the fact that it is very applied and that it is most likely to provide very accurate information in the area it is used.   If you conduct an individual, one-on-one interview with a potential or active client, you will be posing questions so that you will obtain feedback as to the customer’s preference in terms of that product’s characteristics. In this way, the product that will be launched on the market will be more fit for the potential clients, it will bear many of characteristics they need or require.   If the product has already been launched, then this will most likely be corrected following the new evaluations.   Because it will reflect more of the requirements the clients want, the product’s sales are likely to grow as well. Among the disadvantages, we can mention, first of all, the fact that the market is formed of an almost incalculable number of clients and customers, while these methodologies target only a very small number of them.   We may assume that the targeted individuals are not necessarily representative for the entire population and that they will be only be referring to their own preferences rather than those of the entire potential group of consumers. Additionally, we can point towards the very large costs qualitative research implies.   Indeed, being able to perform individual interviews is definitely a task that will mean additional costs for each of the interviews.   The group interview methodology is also costly, as all the participants will need to be paid, while this type of session is likely to take up some time. Quantitative research refers to â€Å"measuring a market and quantifying that measurement with data†[4].   Obviously, compared to qualitative research, this is a much larger perspective, a perspective where the entire market needs to be analyzed.   Additionally, quantitative research will aim to discover and statistically analyze information and data on the market size, market growth rates etc. On the other hand, quantitative research can also be used to evaluate customer preference and decide on customer attitudes and awareness for certain products. The quantitative analysis is based on two essential vectors: data collection and data analysis.   In terms of data collection, this activity will be aimed at gathering data that will help the marketing – related decisions of the company.   Data can be collected in any circumstances, on the street in interviews, through the Internet, on the phone or over the mail etc. On the other hand, this data needs to be interpreted and analyzed so as to provide the necessary reaction from the decision makers.   By interpretation, we will mean that the data will be statistically analyzed, trends and current tendencies will be estimated, all this with the use of different statistical measure and calculations. Obviously, the main advantage of quantitative research is that it give such an ample perspective over the whole market rather than isolated opinions of certain individuals.   On the other hand, the problem is that it often does not incorporate personal opinions, things like customer preference and specific customer behaviour, which would be covered by the qualitative research. In general, it is often recommended that the two different types of analyses are combined so as to reflect best both the market in general and the individual preferences. This way we can ensure that the marketing decision is entirely sustained and supported by relevant data. Bibliography 1. Market research – qualitative research. On the Internet at http://www.tutor2u.net/business/marketing/research_qualitative.asp. Last retrieved on November 15, 2006. 2. Qualitative Market Research. Last retrieved on November 15, 2006 3. Market research – quantitative research. Last retrieved on November 15, 2006.       [1] Market research – qualitative research. On the Internet at http://www.tutor2u.net/business/marketing/research_qualitative.asp. Last retrieved on November 15, 2006. [2] Ibid. [3] Qualitative Market Research. On the Internet at http://www.apmforum.com/emerald/qualitative-market-research.htm. Last retrieved on November 15, 2006 [4] Market research – quantitative research. On the Internet at http://www.tutor2u.net/business/marketing/research_quantiative.asp. Last retrieved on November 15, 2006. How to cite Qualitative research, Essays Qualitative Research Free Essays What is so stressful about caring for a dying patient? Nursing 314 – Research February 3, 2013 What is so stressful about caring for a dying patient? Death is something that we all have to deal with, be it in our profession or in our daily lives. This article discusses the reasons why caring for dying patients is stressful for nurses and is a high risk for burn out. The article also gives findings related to the study and gives recommendations based on the results. We will write a custom essay sample on Qualitative Research or any similar topic only for you Order Now The study shows that education is needed for the nurses that care for the dying patient. The article gave me the understanding of the purpose of the research study and the findings of the study. The article clearly states the purpose of the research and the findings. The title is clear and unambiguous, but the abstract causes the title not to be accurate. The Title should maybe state something about the Nursing shortage. The abstract offers a clear overview of the study. The abstract states that the problem stems from the nursing shortage, and this is what causes stress and burnout. The abstract also states that the â€Å"study used a qualitative theory approach to examine the experiences of nurses and their particular concerns about caring for a dying patient† (Peterson, 2010). The purpose of the study is to examine the experiences of nurses and their concerns about caring for the dying patient. In order to address the reasons for the stress, the study was designed to provide a better understanding of the concerns the nurses have regarding caring for the dying patient. The literature review helped me to understand the specific concerns/stressors that nurses experience when caring for a dying patient. Peterson states that â€Å"common clinical stressors experienced by nurses are 1) watching a dying patient die, 2) the death of a patient, and 2) listening to or talking with a patient about their death imminent death† (Peterson, 2010). In the Nursing profession we are taught how to give holistic care and our main goals are to help our patients to feel and to get better. We tend to develop a bond with our patients and it is very stressful watching someone die, especially when we have that special bond. It is also hard listening and talking about the death. Being able to maintain professional distance while caring for the dying patients and their families, was another common concern among the participants (Peterson, 2010). The sampling method and sample size was identified in the study. A qualitative grounded theory approach was employed for two reasons. â€Å"The first was to gain an understanding of the concerns that the nurses had and to gain knowledge about their experiences in their own words. The second was to allow emotional dimension to be examined† (Peterson, 2010). Data collection strategies were clearly stated. The study used audiotape interviews and online open ended surveys. The nurses and nursing students were also examined for the amount of experience they had. There were 15 participates of which 8 were interviewed at a Midwestern university, and 7 were online. â€Å"Participants were asked to respond to two measures about death. The first was the multidimensional fear of death scale. The participants exhibited an average or healthy level of fear. The second measure was the Frommelt attitudes toward nursing care of the dying scale, which is show the attitude the participants had toward caring for dying patients. Only 9 completed the scale and all indicated a positive attitude toward caring for dying patients† (Peterson, 2010). A lot of nurses aren’t accustomed to caring for dying patients and thus have a fear due to lack of experience. Others may have a fear of not knowing how to respond and react to the dying patient. It appears that the participants were suitable for informing research and that the researcher followed the steps of the data analysis. This was a qualitative study of which interviews and surveys were appropriate. There were no indication that measures were taken to ensure autonomy, confidentiality and freedom of harm. The participants did sign an informed consent before they had an interview. I did not see where the researcher discusses anything about trustworthiness in the article, nor did I see anything about credibility, dependability, transferability and goodness discussed. The findings of this research study were clearly identified. The results were broken down into three sections and revealed that more education is needed on death and dying. It was found that communication can be a hindrance if there is a lack of education and trainings. In conclusion the article proved and showed the true stressors on Nurses that deal with dying patients on a daily basis. The study proved that communication challenges were the primary concerns among the participants. In order to help nurses cope more effectively in this situation, communication training programs are needed not only to benefit the nurses, but to provide the best care for their patients† (Peterson, 2010) The reference section clearly cited all resources that were used in the study. REFERENCES Brown, S. J. (2012). Evidenced-Based Nursing: The Research-Practice Connection, 2nd edition. Sudbury, MA: Jones Bartlett Learning. Peterson, J. (2010). What is so stressful about caring for a dying patient? International journal of palliative Nursing. How to cite Qualitative Research, Essays