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Abstract
Aim This article aims to provide clear explanations of the research approaches available for nursing research.
Background There are numerous research approaches available to the nurse researcher. There is also some ambiguity in the literature in relation to research terminology and this often leads to confusion about which approach to adopt.
Data sources A review of the available and most up-to-date literature.
Discussion The most commonly adopted approaches in nursing research are described and discussed.
Conclusion This article explains the research paradigms and the rationales for choosing particular paradigms while part two will provide an explanation of the methodological options available to the researcher. A table is included that summarises the key information related to each paradigm.
Implications for practice/research These articles will be particularly useful for the novice researcher or for the doctoral student.
Keywords
Paradigms, research strategies, research methodologies, nursing research
Introduction
There are many research paradigms, methodologies and strategies available to nurse researchers. As research evolves, more and more approaches are being added to this mixed bag of options. One of the first requirements when planning research is to establish which paradigm and subsequently which methodology or strategy can best answer the research question. This can be a daunting task for novice researchers because there are many conflicting definitions of approaches published and terminology is often used interchangeably. The aim of these articles is to present an overview and explanations of the approaches most commonly used in nursing and healthcare research. They also aim to remove some of the confusion and ambiguity that the novice researcher might face when considering the many options.
Research paradigms
Paradigms are sets of practices and beliefs. They are characterised by ontological, epistemological and methodological differences in their approaches to research and contribution to knowledge. According to Denzin and Lincoln (1994), 'ontology' questions what is the real world and what can be known about it, 'epistemology' questions the relationship between the knower and what can be known, and 'methodology' questions how researchers can go about finding out what they believe can be known. Thus the researcher's ontology directs the epistemology and subsequently the methodology, and the paradigm provides a framework or a lens through which to view or accomplish an investigation. A paradigm may also...