Quantitative Research Methods in Nursing

The aims of this module are to equip students with the requisite skills to apply the scientific approach and the basics of critical appraisal to quantitative methods used within the context of research evaluating healthcare interventions. This module will introduce students to why research methods and evidence-based practice are fundamental to the role of healthcare professionals and what methods we use to carry out different types of inquiry. Participants will be supported in formulating research ideas and identifying appropriate methods to test their hypotheses. They will also become ‘critical consumers’ of research with the knowledge and understanding necessary to evaluate research appropriately. The module will introduce a range of quantitative research methods commonly used within applied health and primary methods. This will be followed by content relating to the principles of how we generate knowledge using quantitative methods, including learning about methods of sampling, data collection and analysis and how they relate to one another. Also, important ethical and governance considerations concerning quantitative inquiry will be analysed ensuring it is carried out with minimal risk.

The module comprises of the following 6 sessions.

1.  Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods
2. Research Designs and Sampling Techniques
3. Data Collection Methods in Quantitative Research
4. Measurement and Data Analysis in Quantitative Research
5.  Designing a Quantitative Research Proposal
6. Critically Appraising and Disseminating Quantitative Research