(^116) Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice: Model and Guidelines, Third Edition
Table 6.4 Time-Dimensional Designs, Purposes, and Examples
Title Purpose Notes
Case-control studies Compares the proportion of
cases that have a particular
condition or outcome with the
proportion of cases that do not
have the condition
Examines possible
relationships between
exposure and disease
occurrence and is expressed
as an odds ratio
Cohort studies Investigates the causes of
disease, establishing links
between risk factors and health
outcomes
Observational studies that
can be retrospective or
prospective studies
Cross-sectional studies Collects data at one particular
point in time
Qualitative Designs
Qualitative designs have their roots in sociology and are often used to answer
the “how” or “why” research questions. The purpose of qualitative research is
to explore, discover, or describe. In contrast to quantitative research, qualitative
researchers are often active participants in research activities, acknowledging
their personal values and bringing their own experience to the study. Qualitative
research, which is the best way to understand phenomena deeply and in detail, is
useful when exploring complex situations or areas where little is known.Example: Nonexperimental Descriptive Cross-Sectional Design
Finnish researchers used a descriptive cross-sectional design to conduct a
national survey at four Finnish university hospitals to understand the differences in
RNs’ EBP competencies and job-related nurse outcomes in non-Magnet university
hospitals. A convenience sample of 943 practice nurses responded. Findings
included that nurses’ EBP beliefs were favorable, and that nurses were satisfied
with their jobs; however, they lacked the EBP knowledge required for integrating
best evidence into clinical care (Saunders & Vehviläinen-Julkunen, 2016).