My main goal is to determine the ethical dilemmas and moral distress experienced by nurses during the pandemic and how does that experiences affect their performance at work.
So, Do I need to follow the theoretical framework of Kohlberg? if yes, how?
Or Is it okay to use the theory of kohlberg AS A GUIDE to help explain the nurses level of moral reasoning that made them perceived the situation as an ethical dilemma or a moral distress.
Thank you. I really appreciate the help and the clarifications.
Most quantitative studies are constrained by data availability/quality, so although it's always better to follow perfectly some theoretical framework, it's rarely possible.
For a traditional quantitative study, you need hypotheses that specify independent and dependent variables. The point of a theory would be to tell you both what variables to pay attention to and how they should be related to each other. In addition, in the case of a theory that has widespread empirical applications, you should be able to find existing measures for your variables.
In addition, you should be aware that you will need a reasonably large sample to test those hypotheses -- a good guide to selecting a sample size is the freely available G*Power program.
Dear Kim,
For a quantitative study like yours, you need the theoretical framework to explain the relationship between your independent and dependent variables. The framework will also help you in specifying the limits of your generalization as well as discussing your findings.
It is always better to explain or answer your research question by adopting a theory or theoretical model in positivist or quantitative research. This is a theory testing research, where you just test the exact theory in your context. But if you want to use this theory as a guide, then you develop a conceptual framework by relying on the theory suitable for your research and there you may incorporate new constructs apart from the existing construct in theory. And both theoretical model or conceptual framework depicts the hypothesized relationship between your exogenous and endogenous constructs. And if some one want to do multivariate analysis like SEM then a model is compulsory.
To establish the strong background of the study theoretical background is necessary I think. it provides the logical relationship to the variables and helps in establishing an apriori expectations on the basis of theory.
in the quantitative method, you need to use theoretical framework for design hypotheses and explain the relationship between the dependent and independent variables.
I agree with the sentiment that a good theory guiding the study is best, everything else being equal (e.g., good measures, adequately powered study) but I would also consider going beyond a goal of theory testing by considering a few other directions:
1) Examining two competing theories to see which one is more predictive.
2) Extending a theory by "adding" or altering an existing construct.
Of course the above should be based on good reasons, logic, empirical work, etc, if possible.