Metodología de Investigación en Salud
Metodología de Investigación en Salud
Quantitative research treats the subject as a passive object where the investigator makes decisions, focusing on information production without leading to specific actions . In contrast, qualitative research involves both the investigator and the investigated as active participants throughout the research process, emphasizing transformation and applied outcomes .
Qualitative research offers deeper insights into subjective phenomena through multiple variable relationships and contextual studies, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of human-centered health issues, unlike quantitative methods that often overlook individual experiences due to their focus on numeric data .
A well-formulated research problem should express a relationship between two or more concepts or variables, be clearly stated as a question, and allow for empirical testing, ensuring it can be observed and measured in reality .
Quantitative research outcomes are primarily informational and theoretical, often lacking direct application or self-management actions . Qualitative research outcomes are transformational and involve participants in actionable processes, applying findings practically within the studied context .
A research problem is identifiable when there is a gap between observed reality and the desired state, articulated unequivocally . Its origins in accumulated knowledge and practical situations provide context for critique and new explanations, guiding the formulations of solutions .
Objectives guide all phases of the research process, defining its limits and scope, delineating necessary study stages, and situating the study within a broader context .
Quantitative research prioritizes the reliability of data, ensuring that the information can consistently reproduce results under the same conditions . Qualitative research, on the other hand, emphasizes the validity of data, seeking meaningfulness and accuracy in representing the phenomena under study .
Defining effective research objectives involves considering general objectives, which outline generic project goals, specific objectives, which concretize broad goals into actionable plans, and operational objectives, which further detail specific objectives into precise steps .
In quantitative research, variables are few and defined beforehand, focusing mainly on quantifiable aspects with limited insight into subjective phenomena . Conversely, qualitative research involves a dynamic process of adding and refining variables during the study, emphasizing deep exploration of subjective aspects and defining new variables as necessary .
General objectives are broad and encompass the overall aims of a project, while specific objectives are more focused, detailing concrete, narrow commitments to achieve practical outcomes .