Critical thinking on potential design choice: quantitative research studies

Introduction

Qualitative research studies are mainly used to seek an understanding as to why people behave in the manner that is seem to be. It differs from quantitative research studies in that it attempt to gather information or data that can provide relationship between certain variables or compare the two by being objective and trying to separate the investigator from the investigation while providing the relevant predictions.
In this case, the qualitative study seeks to understand why clinical staffs within the hospital settings are not washing their hands properly after using the washrooms or toilets, as per the rules and guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control due to results received by the previous quantitative research study which showed that about 30% of the staff did not do as required, and how this number can be changed for the better. Washing of hands in a hospital setting is very much important since failure to do so may lead to contamination or transfer of infectious agents to the patients being taken care of, especially in the wards and the surgical rooms.

Qualitative Research Design to be used

The qualitative design that I recommend to be used is the Case Study. This would enable the respondents in the study relate directly to the issue at hand and thus give answers which would be directly related to the questions being sought by the study. Since the hospital staff apparently as supposed to be aware of the effects brought about by the contamination as a result of the failure to wash hands after visiting the toilets owing to their professional training, using a case in which an individual succumbed to bacterial infection which is known to associated with unsanitary conditions would be effective in achieving the intended objective since answering the questions ‘’how’’ and ‘’why’’ would be easy and direct.

Data collection procedure to be used

The data collection procedure that I do recommend is the use of focus groups. Focus groups refer to a group interview of about six to twelve people who seem to share certain interest or characteristics. This would go hand in hand with case study since it would be able provide responses from particular groups of people. Doctors can be case studied on their as well as nurses and some other staff as per their work description. The use of focus groups would also be appropriate since the data being sought by the questions here is descriptive, that is, cannot be measured numerically.

References

Boyce, J. M. (2002, October 25). Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings. Retrieved October 25, 2013, from CDC-MMWR: http://www. cdc. gov/Mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5116a1. htm
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Marino, C., & Cohen, M. (2001). Washington State hospital survey 2000: gloves, handwashing agents, and moisturizers. Am J Infect Control, 422-424.
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