Choosing the right study design is essential. Common designs in nursing research include:
- Quantitative Designs: These include randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies. They are useful for testing hypotheses and examining relationships between variables. - Qualitative Designs: These include phenomenological studies, grounded theory, and ethnography. They are useful for exploring experiences, perceptions, and social processes. - Mixed-Methods Designs: These combine both quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the research problem.