1. Cross-sectional
   1. describe variables
   2. specific point in time
2. Longitudinal
   1. describe variables
   2. over period of time
3. Comparative descriptive
   1. describe variables
   2. examine differences in two or more groups
   3. occurs naturally in a setting
   4. compares data in quantitative and outcomes studies
   5. results are frequently not generalized to a population
4. Case studies
   1. examines single unit
   2. within context of real-life environment
   3. small sample size
   4. large number of variables
   5. examines all variables that have may have an impact on the situation
   6. includes element of time
   7. researcher explores subject's history and previous behavior patterns in detail
   8. beginning of descriptive research
   9. most common nursing study
   10. purposes
       1. to support or invalidate theories
       2. demonstrate the effectiveness of therapeutic technique
       3. reveal important findings that can generate new hypotheses for testing
       4. lead to design of large sample studies to examine factors in study
5. Typical Descriptive
   1. identify phenomenon of interest
   2. identify the variables within that phenomenon
   3. develop conceptual and variable definitions of the variables
   4. describing the variables
   5. interpretation of the theoretical meaning of the findings
   6. development of hypotheses
6. Purposes
   1. gain more information
   2. develop theories
   3. identify problems within current practice
   4. justify current practice
   5. gain more information about characteristics within particular field of study
   6. provide picture of a situation as it naturally happens
   7. make judgments
   8. determine what other nurses in similar situations are doing
7. Characterisitics
   1. examine variables in natural environment
   2. do not include treatments provided by the researcher
   3. protection against bias
      1. conceptual and operational definitions of variables
      2. sample selection and size
      3. valid and reliable instruments
      4. data collection procedures that partially control the environment