Research and Critique Paper: Central Line Infections (Research Paper Sample)

Research design
This section offers an analysis of mixed research methodology (both qualitative and quantitative) as considered in the research. The key objective is to offer an explanation of the method considered in answering questions. The subsections covered in this chapter include piloting sequence, data collection, coding and analysis of data, so as to investigate various issues like (……). This section surveys the method by which various (…..) and investigator outcomes were achieved there, exemplifying how such outcomes collaborate with the questionnaires to give quantitative analysis of background evidence. The study procedure for the qualitative and quantitative methods considered in the assessment of the topic, regardless of being fundamentally Western, was highly generative.
The initial stage included a comprehensive qualitative effort to define the study focus. The subsequent phase comprised of a pilot study facilitated with the attempt of offering help in the design of questionnaires. The questionnaires’ structure was guided by several research questions created at the instance of quantitative process as well as the questionnaires issued at the distinct qualitative scrutiny. A mixed method was the research methodology utilized in the study, and was considered significantly qualitative regardless of being informed through a quantitative assessment (chapter 5); this is equally identified as methodological triangulation, “comprising the use of both quantitative and qualitative approaches and data to examine identical occurrences within the identical study” (Tashakkori and Teddlie, 1998: 18). According to Cresswell (1995), a mixed approach can be defined as a "dominant-less dominant study" where there is "a single dominant [research] paradigm with a small component of the overall study derived from an alternative design" (177). Generally, in accordance with Tashakkori and Teddlie (1998) the mixed method is normally an outcome of the “pragmatist paradigm ... combining the qualitative and quantitative approaches within different phases of the research process" (19). The causes of deploying both quantitative and qualitative approaches included the ability to comprehensively cover the field, not simply granting statistical data to researcher-based interactivity and quantitative approaches to qualitative techniques (Miles and Huberman, 1994).
Nonetheless, linking or integrating methodologies, examining, detailing and expanding by turns, establishes that "to construct dense, well-built, assimilated, and comprehensive theory" (Strauss and Corbin, 1998: 33), it is important to have some level of generative interplay between approaches. In research studies, a study design is highly important in establishing the capacity of the study to answer the research questions adequately. As stipulated by Bryman (2008), research design offers the overall framework for data collection and analysis correlated to the phenomenon being examined. Research approaches can be categorized mainly into inductive and deductive research approaches, with each one appearing to use quantitative techniques that use mathematical or statistical models associated with the research questions and gauge correlations by use of statistical approaches. Both quantitative and qualitative methods can be contrasted with the latter attempting to decipher meanings. Inductive research seems to be related to qualitative approaches.
Researchers have a number of research designs to choose from, respective of their research objectives and problems. In accordance with Bryman (2008), there are 5 fundamental research designs: comparative, longitudinal, survey, experimental and case study. From the experimental point of view, the researcher is able to examine the effect of one independent variable on a dependent one, provided additional variables capable of affecting the association between the two variables are regulated for. This design is founded on a specific theoretical framework and normally centres on a few variables. The researcher is able to examine the establishment of recognized phenomenon within a given duration, courtesy of longitudinal designs, normally associated with divisions of social science like social policy and sociology. For survey designs, data is gathered from numerous instances mainly through use of structured interviews or questionnaires, typically with the intent of generalizing about a given population.
In accordance with Fowler (2009), total survey entails guaranteeing the quality of various survey elements that can impact its precision, more so the sample, the features of those whom data are gathered, the questions design, as well as the data gathering procedures. On the other hand, a research design involving a case study involves investigating a single case comprehensively. In accordance with Yin (1994), case studies come in form of exploratory, descriptive or explanatory form. Various researchers have offered contradictory perceptions of the constituents to a ‘case’, with Johansson (2003:2) stipulating how the “common denominator that case study researchers (Yin 1994; Merriam 1994; Stake 1995, 1998; Miles & Huberman 1994; Gillham 2001) might agree on would be something along the following lines: The case study should have a “case” which is the object of study. The “case” should be a complex functioning unit, be investigated in its natural context with a multitude of me multitude of methods, and be contemporary.’’ The design engaged in the present study is a case study due to several reasons, and within it, semi-structured interviews, survey, as well as secondary data have been merged (i.e. a research through case study engaging mixed research approaches). The initial reason justifying the appropriateness of a case study design is its objective to examine opinions and discernments regarding the suitability of Oman’s private sector for private sector led development.
To some level, this study is also exploratory, therefore the significance of deigns in form of a case study lies within their capacity to enable the researcher to examine the association of phenomenon meagrely comprehended, due to meagre prevailing literature. This survey in most cases focuses on a sufficient account of the phenomenon hosting the research focus, in their “real life context when the boundaries between the phenomenon and context are not clear” (Yin, 2009, p.18). The research questions in the present study have not been examined in the previous literature in Oman, while the researcher readily accessed the networks and contacts in Oman and these were able to enhance the study. Accessing the pertinent stakeholders in different nations might have been extreme time consuming and problematic, without success assurance. The perception of this condition is based on ‘how’ questions are related with Yin’s table, above (Fig 4.1) whereby the study attempts to examine the capacity of private sector to catalyse economic profess in Oman. Subsequently, the research never necessitated to control the behavioural aspects (that is an experiment) and thirdly concentrating (highly) on modern practices (the study needs the gathering of data concerning various factors as relating to Oman private sector. Such factors are many and diversified, such as Oman’s business setting.
Research methods
Most studies engage a mixture of research approaches within a case study. Just as stipulated by Johansson (2003:3), “One major feature of case study methodology is that different methods are combined with the purpose of illuminating a case from different angles: to triangulate by combining methodologies.’’ Just as stipulated above, there is meagre literature concerning the perception of Oman on the function of private sector in the region besides lacking up-to-date, precise, and consistent statistics concerning the economy. Nonetheless, there are a number of intricacies correlated with studies of the purpose of the private sector in the economy of Oman. Due to the above reasons, as well as the intricacy of the present study, the researcher engaged this subject, empirically, by engaging various approaches so as to acquire the needed data. In accordance with Borg and Gall (1996), the two techniques (qualitative and quantitative methods) enable the researchers to come up with significant discoveries, particularly upon being engaged together in one study, for combining semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. The current study utilized a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods in a complementary manner. These approaches were considered so as to get rid of any intricacies concerning coverage, availability and linkage of data. These are categorized into two:
Qualitative methods
As stated by Myers (2009, p 9), “qualitative research is best if you want to study a particular subject in depth and when the particular topic is new and there is not much previously published research on that topic”. The key prevailing approach considered in the present study was semi-structured interviews, typically a qualitative research approach.
Selection of particular quotes
The method considered in the analysis of qualitative data (comprising of 42 semi-structured interviews) included thematic analysis, with the capacity to identify data patterns to be analysed into key themes. In accordance with Fereday et al. (2006), this inductive method is data driven. The present study considered a mixed techniques design with thematic analysis being in consistent with this design since it doesn’t need adherence to a specific philosophical paradigm (Braun and Clarke 2006; Fereday, et al 2006). In his study, Boyzatis (1999) proposed an approach that entailed a model for analysing data qualitativel...