title: [Quantitative and qualitative research methods, can they coexist yet?].
abstract: Qualitative design is gaining ground in Nursing research. In spite of a relative progress however, the evidence based practice movement continues to dominate and to underline the exclusive value of quantitative design (particularly that of randomized clinical trials) for clinical decision making. In the actual context convenient to those in power making utilitarian decisions on one hand, and facing nursing criticism of the establishment in favor of qualitative research on the other hand, it is difficult to chose a practical and ethical path that values the nursing role within the health care system, keeping us committed to quality care and maintaining researcher's integrity. Both qualitative and quantitative methods have advantages and disadvantages, and clearly, none of them can, by itself, capture, describe and explain reality adequately. Therefore, a balance between the two methods is needed. Researchers bare responsibility to society and science, and they should opt for the appropriate design susceptible to answering the research question, not promote the design favored by the research funding distributors.
authors.affiliation: Université Laurentienne, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. epopiea@laurentian.ca
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Anne-Marise
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lavoie
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design