Tips for Finding Quantitative Research for Nursing

Quantitative research in nursing mainly deals with causal or correlational relationship between variables through testing hypotheses. 

• Tends to be more objective.
• Observations tend to be measured in numbers.
• Samples tend to be random and large.
• Data collection can include:
  • surveys
  • clinical trials
  • laboratory experiments 
  • questionnaires 
  • structured interviews 

See more from CREDO Encyclopedia of Nursing Research (Must be on campus or have a COM account to view).

Extracted from The effectiveness of an exercise intervention in reducing the severity of postpartum depression: A randomized controlled trial (Must be on campus or have a COM account to view the entire article).

The databases below have qualitative articles. Nursing research requires that sources not be older than 5 years unless of historical interest. Each database has a way to limit dates; tips for each are listed below. The way to get the quantitative articles is to:

Once you've applied the tips below, you'll need to scan the articles on the list for terms like quantitative, data, or statistical. 

Gale Databases

1. Search for your topic. You can also search for your topic adding the term AND quantitative. 
2. Expand Publication date and enter a date range that spans 5 years. Alternatively you could use the quick limit Past Year. 
3. Expand Document type, and scroll down to select the options Clinical data and Statical data if available. 
4. Expand Subjects to see if any options can refine your search. The terms could relate to your topic or to option likely to be quantitative like Clinical trails. 

Health Research Premium Collection

1. Search for your topic.
2. On the result list, under Source Type, select Scholarly Journals. 
3. Under Publication date, select Last 5 years.
4. Under Subject option> select more> then check the boxes next to any or all of the following options: clinical trials‎, cross-sectional studies‎, likert scale‎, meta-analysis‎, regression analysis‎, statistical analysis‎ and variables and select Apply‎‎. Now most or all articles will be quantitative research. 
5. Once you have applied the terms likely to get quantitative articles, you can go back to Subjects > More and choose any option close to your topic, like nurses, nursing care, nursing, patient safety, and so on. 

ScienceDirect

1. Search for your topic, adding the term AND quantitative
2. On the result list under Subject areas, select Nursing and Health Professions. 
3. Under Years, select a span of 5 years or less.