Librarian
Methods
| Qualitative Methods | Quantitative Methods |
|---|---|
| Methods include focus groups, in-depth interviews, and reviews of documents for types of themes | Surveys, structured interviews & observations, and reviews of records or documents for numeric information |
| Primarily inductive process used to formulate theory or hypotheses | Primarily deductive process used to test pre-specified concepts, constructs, and hypotheses that make up a theory |
| More subjective: describes a problem or condition from the point of view of those experiencing it | More objective: provides observed effects (interpreted by researchers) of a program on a problem or condition |
| Text-based | Number-based |
| More in-depth information on a few cases | Less in-depth but more breadth of information across a large number of cases |
| Unstructured or semi-structured response options | Fixed response options |
| No statistical tests | Statistical tests are used for analysis |
| Can be valid and reliable: largely depends on skill and rigor of the researcher | Can be valid and reliable: largely depends on the measurement device or instrument used |
| Time expenditure lighter on the planning end and heavier during the analysis phase | Time expenditure heavier on the planning phase and lighter on the analysis phase |
| Less generalizable | More generalizable |
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Searching PubMed
To search for qualitative research in PubMed, you will want to use the Advanced Search. Choose MeSH Terms from the drop down and then type in qualitative research. Press ADD to add the term to the Query Box below. Then, change the drop down to All Fields again and type in your other search terms, adding them to the Query Box as appropriate.
The strategy for searching for Quantitative Research is different in PubMed.
1. Run your search for your search terms.
2. When looking at the results list, you will use the limiters to choose the type of quantitative studies you would like included in your search results.
3. Choose additional filters on the left hand side.
4. Choose any of these article types and press show (clinical trials -- all types, comparative study, controlled clinical trial, evaluation study, meta-analysis, randomized controlled trial, systematic review, twin study, validation study).
5. Once you choose the limiters you would like, they are now shown on the left-hand side. Click the appropriate article type filter to filter t just those types of articles in your result list.
Remember: Meta-Analysis and Systematic Reviews are secondary sources. Refresh your memory on the difference between primary and secondary sources here.
Search PubMed directly by using this link:
- PubMed (Medline) This link opens in a new windowThe most comprehensive medical database. This resource covers medicine, dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, biomedical research, clinical practice, administration, policy issues, and health care services. This public version provides a Clinical Queries search interface.
Searching in CINAHL
When searching CINAHL Plus, use the controlled vocabulary "qualitative studies" or "quantitative studies" and choose the dropdown MW Word in Subject Heading. Then add your other search terms in the search boxes below. You can use the plus sign to add additional search boxes if needed.
Here is the direct link to search CINAHL Plus:
- CINAHL Plus This link opens in a new windowArticle database covering the fields of nursing and allied health. CINAHL also includes Evidence-Based Care Sheets and Quick Lessons which provide concise overviews of diseases and conditions and outline the most effective treatment options.
Searching in PsycInfo
When searching PsycInfo, use the term "qualitative research" in quotations marks and choose the SU subjects drop down. Then put your additional search terms in the following search boxes. Use the plus sign to add more search boxes if needed.
When searching for quantitative research in PsycInfo, you will use the term "quantitative methods" in quotation marks with the SU Subjects drop down.
Here is the direct link to search PsycInfo:
- PsycInfo This link opens in a new windowAn index to scholarly journal articles, dissertations, books, and book chapters relevant to the field of psychology, behavioral sciences, and mental health.
Searching in ERIC
To search for qualitative research in ERIC, use the subject term "qualitative research" in quotation marks in the first search box. Change the drop down to DE Descriptors. Then add your other search terms in the additional search boxes. Use the plus sign to add more search boxes if needed.
To search for quantitative research in ERIC, you will use the term "statistical analysis" in quotation marks in the first search box. Use the DE Descriptors drop down. Then, add your other search terms in the additional search boxes. Use the plus sign to add more search boxes if needed.
Here is the direct link to search ERIC:
- ERIC Education Literature (EBSCO) This link opens in a new windowProvides comprehensive access to education-related literature, including citations to articles and research reports. Includes some fulltext.