Comparison of 'think aloud' and observation as data collection methods in the study of decision making regarding sedation in intensive care patients

Abstract

There is recognition that different data collection methods gather different aspects of decision making data. Although the selection of a method to explore nurses' decision making is partially determined by the theoretical perspective that informs each study, some flexibility remains. Description of the relative benefits of each method will enable future researchers to selectively identify which method is most suited to answering their specific research question.