Descriptive question

Definition

A descriptive question is a type of inquiry that seeks to gather detailed information about a particular phenomenon, behavior, or characteristic without manipulating variables. It focuses on 'what' rather than 'why,' aiming to provide a clear picture of the situation or population being studied.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Descriptive questions are often used in exploratory research to define problems and identify variables that might warrant further investigation.
2. These questions can guide researchers in collecting data through surveys, interviews, or observational methods without imposing any manipulation.
3. In descriptive studies, data collected can be both qualitative and quantitative, providing a richer understanding of the subject matter.
4. Descriptive questions help in building a foundation for future research by identifying trends, patterns, or characteristics within the population being studied.
5. Examples of descriptive questions include 'What are the common health issues among college students?' or 'How do patients describe their experience in a healthcare setting?'.

Review Questions

• How do descriptive questions differ from exploratory questions in research?
  • Descriptive questions focus on gathering detailed information about specific characteristics or phenomena without manipulating variables, while exploratory questions aim to generate ideas and insights to understand a broader topic. Descriptive inquiries are about describing what exists in a situation, while exploratory inquiries seek to uncover new aspects or relationships within the context being studied. Both types are essential but serve different purposes in the research process.
• Evaluate the importance of using descriptive questions when formulating research studies in nursing.
  • Using descriptive questions in nursing research is crucial because they help identify health trends, patient experiences, and care outcomes without biasing the results through manipulation. These questions allow researchers to gather comprehensive data about patient demographics, satisfaction levels, and common health concerns. The insights gained from these descriptive inquiries inform nursing practices and policy decisions, ultimately leading to improved patient care and better healthcare delivery.
• Create a comprehensive research proposal that includes a descriptive question relevant to nursing practice, explaining how it could lead to further research hypotheses.
  • A proposed study could focus on the descriptive question: 'What are the most frequently reported barriers to effective communication between nurses and patients in urban hospitals?' This question aims to gather data on communication challenges faced in healthcare settings. By analyzing the responses from patients and nursing staff through surveys or interviews, researchers can identify patterns such as language barriers or environmental factors. This foundational data could then lead to developing hypotheses regarding interventions that improve communication strategies, ultimately enhancing patient satisfaction and care outcomes.

Related terms

qualitative research: A research method that focuses on understanding human behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior through interviews, observations, and open-ended questions.

quantitative research: A research approach that involves the systematic investigation of phenomena by gathering quantifiable data and applying statistical, mathematical, or computational techniques.

research hypothesis: A statement that predicts the relationship between variables in a study, often serving as a basis for conducting experiments or further investigation.