Discussion postResearch methods

Explain the different types of research methodologies used in the health sciences

Forty-two words, two tasks, and the second one is where the post is decided. Survey the methodologies briefly, then commit to one you could genuinely run where you work.

Editorial process

Last reviewed · August 23, 2026

Written by

Maren Caldwell

MSN, RN, CNE

Medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology and NCLEX preparation

Reviewed by

Dr. Tessa Redmond

DNP, RN, CNE

Evidence-based practice and clinical education

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Interpret the task
Assignment instructions
Deliverables
Proposed outline
Research plan
Reference shortlist
Final review

The survey is the setup; the application is the post

The first sentence looks like the assignment and is really the setup. Explaining the types of research methodologies is textbook recall and every post in the forum will contain it, so do it compactly and correctly: the primary split is quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods, and the quantitative branch subdivides into descriptive, correlational, quasi-experimental and experimental designs that sit in a recognised hierarchy of evidence. Say what each one is for rather than what each one is, because purpose is what makes the second half possible. Qualitative designs answer how and why questions about experience; quantitative designs estimate how much and whether one thing causes another. Mixed methods exist because many real questions carry both a how-much and a why component, which is more useful to say than treating the third category as a compromise. Keep this half to one paragraph. Getting that ordering right also stops the second half drifting into a design you cannot run.

The second sentence is where a post becomes yours. Pick a real question from your own setting and match the method to it honestly, which usually means picking something smaller than students expect. A randomised trial is not available to a staff nurse, but a retrospective chart review of falls before and after a bed alarm change is, and so is a focus group with discharge nurses about why the teaching sheet is not being used. State the question, name the design, say what data you would collect and from whom, and say what the answer would let your unit do differently. That last clause is the one that lifts the post, because it turns a methods exercise into a decision. The single required reference should support the method choice, not decorate the description, so cite something that establishes the design is appropriate for the kind of question you are asking.

Likely learning objectives

Classify health sciences research methodologies by the question each answers.
Match a design to a question that could realistically be studied in your setting.
Specify data sources and participants for a proposed study.
Use a citation to justify a methodological choice rather than to define a term.

Assignment instructions

Read the full question

Review every instruction before using the planning guidance that follows.

HLT 317V Topic 1 DQ 1 Explain the different types of research methodologies used in the health sciences. How would you apply one of these research methods in your workplace? Cite at least one reference to support your rationale using APA documentation.

Course-wide instructions that accompany this question

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS Discussion Questions (DQ) Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, include a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words. Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source. One or two sentence responses, simple statements of agreement or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words. I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses. Weekly Participation Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately. In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies. Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work). Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything that is due during the week. APA Format and Writing Quality Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required). Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation. HLT 317V Topic 1 DQ 1 I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition. Use of Direct Quotes I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’ level and deduct points accordingly. As Masters’ level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content. It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source. LopesWrite Policy For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me. Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes. Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own? Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score. Late Policy The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies. Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances. If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect. I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension. As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading. Communication Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me: Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class. Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.

What Topic 1 DQ 1 asks for

01An explanation of the different types of research methodologies used in the health sciences.
02An account of how you would apply one of these methods in your workplace.
03At least one reference supporting your rationale.
04APA documentation for the citation.