An examination of Positivist and Critical Realist Philosophical Approaches to Nursing Research

Coleman, Phil (2019). An examination of Positivist and Critical Realist Philosophical Approaches to Nursing Research. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 12(2) pp. 1218–1224.

URL: http://www.internationaljournalofcaringsciences.or...

Abstract

This paper emphasises the importance for researchers to explicitly locate their work within a philosophical framework. It examines the ontological, epistemological and methodological similarities and differences of Positivism and Critical Realism; highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of these philosophical approaches in relation to nursing research. Whilst acknowledging several limitations and risks associated with undertaking research from a critical realist perspective it concludes that this perspective still appears to provide a more appropriate foundation for systematic enquiry within the discipline of nursing than is achieved by adopting a positivist approach to such investigation.

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