Q. How do I identify different types of research for my Nursing assignment?

Primary research 

Primary research refers to original research articles that report on and share new research findings. Researchers rely on primary data to gather relevant, targeted, and accurate information for their studies.

Examples include: Interviews, focus groups, longitudinal studies, surveys, observational studies, experiments and RCTs/drug/clinical trials.

This type of data is typically specific to the needs of a study and provides up-to-date and original insights.

When identifying primary research look out for:

• a methodology or method which describes the processes involved in undertaking the study
• a description of how the sample was obtained (how were the participants recruited?) 
• the method of data collection (were participants interviewed? were blood samples taken/drugs administered/vaccines administered?)
• the analysis of the results
• there will be a literature review that will set out existing knowledge and understanding and it is not the sole focus of the article.

Secondary Research

Secondary use of data refers to the utilisation of data already collected for other purposes. It is also known as desk research, these articles evaluate and synthesise existing primary research.

Secondary sources are not evidence, but rather commentary on and discussion of evidence.

Examples include:

• Literature reviews
• Systematic reviews
• Meta-analyses​
• Scoping reviews

Grant, M. J. and Booth, A. (2009) ‘A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies’, Health Information and Libraries Journal. 26(2), pp. 91–108. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x 

Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

Quantitative research aims to measure or quantify the subject of the study and data collection will often be numerical. The sample size in quantitative research may be large and there may be statistical anaylsis of the data collected. This type of data is typically specific to the needs of a study and provides up-to-date and original insights.

Look for results containing numbers, measurements, graphs and surveys with pre-set multiple choice answers.

Qualitative research aims to explore meaning and understanding of what is being studied by looking at participants experiences. Qualitative research aims to provide detailed insights into subjective experiences or behaviours and is often descriptive in nature.

Look out for interviews and surveys that asked people to talk about their experiences and sought explanations for how people felt/reacted.

Some studies will include both qualitative and quantitative elements and this is known as mixed methods research.