Nursing Knowledge

Nurses who conduct research have a longstanding interest in questions of nursing knowledge. Nursing Knowledge is a clear and well-informed exposition of the philosophical background to nursing theory and research. Nursing Knowledge answers such fundamental questions as: How is nursing theory related to nursing practice? What are the core elements of nursing knowledge? What makes nursing research distinctive as nursing research? It examines the history of the philosophical debates within nursing, critiques the arguments, explains the implications and sets out to rethink the philosophical foundation of nursing science. Nursing Knowledge begins with philosophical problems that arise within nursing science. It then considers various solutions with the help of philosophical ideas arguingargues that nurses ought to adopt certain philosophical positions because they are the best solutions to the problems that nurses encounter. The book argues claims that the nursing standpoint has the potential to disclose a more complete understanding of human health than the common disease-and-dysfunction views. Because of the relationship to practice, nursing science may freely draw theory from other disciplines and nursing practice unifies nursing research. By redefining theory and philosophy,With a new philosophical perspective on nursing science, the so-called relevance gap between nursing theory and practice can be closed. The final chapter of the book redraws the map , to create a new picture of nursing science based on the following principles: Problems of practice should guide nursing research Practice and theory are dynamically related Theory research must provide the knowledge base necessary for nurse interventions, training, patient education, etc. Nursing research should develop midrange theories and its results are nursing theory is strengthened when it uses theories confirmed by is integrated with other disciplines Key features Clear and accessibly written Accurate and philosophically well-informed, Discusses philosophical problems in contexts familiar to nurses Systematically examines the philosophical issues involved in nursing research Examines epistemology (how we know what we know), theory development, and the philosophical foundations of scientific methodology. Develops a new model of nursing knowledge Dr. Mark Risjord is Associate Professor in Philosophy at Emory University, and has a faculty appointment in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. His main research areas have been in the philosophy of social science and the philosophy of medicine. He was invited to has been teaching philosophy of science and theory development in the new PhD program in the Nell Hodgson School of Nursing at Emory University insince 1999. He has been awarded two competitive teaching prizes: Emory Williams Distinguished Teaching Award (2004) and the Excellence in Teaching Award (1997). He is presently serving as the Masse-Martin/NEH Distinguished Teaching Chair (2006-2010).

Nurses who conduct research have a longstanding interest inquestions of nursing knowledge. Nursing Knowledge is a clearand well-informed exposition of the philosophical background tonursing theory and research. Nursing Knowledgeanswers such fundamental questions as: How is nursing theoryrelated to nursing practice? What are the core elements ofnursing knowledge? What makes nursing research distinctive asnursing research? It examines the history of thephilosophical debates within nursing, critiques the argumentsexplains the implications and sets out to rethink the philosophicalfoundation of nursing science.Nursing Knowledge begins with philosophical problems thatarise within nursing science. It then considers varioussolutions with the help of philosophical ideas arguingargues thatnurses ought to adopt certain philosophical positions because theyare the best solutions to the problems that nurses encounter. Thebook argues claims that the nursing standpoint has the potential todisclose a more complete understanding of human health than thecommon disease-and-dysfunction views. Because of the relationshipto practice, nursing science may freely draw theory from otherdisciplines and nursing practice unifies nursing research. Byredefining theory and philosophy,With a new philosophicalperspective on nursing science, the so-called relevance gap betweennursing theory and practice can be closed.The final chapter of the book 'redraws the map', tocreate a new picture of nursing science based on the followingprinciples:* Problems of practice should guide nursing research* Practice and theory are dynamically related* Theory research must provide the knowledge base necessary fornurse interventions, training, patient education, etc.* Nursing research should develop midrange theories and itsresults are nursing theory is strengthened when it uses theoriesconfirmed by is integrated with other disciplinesKey features* Clear and accessibly written* Accurate and philosophically well-informed* Discusses philosophical problems in contexts familiar tonurses* Systematically examines the philosophical issues involved innursing research* Examines epistemology (how we know what we know), theorydevelopment, and the philosophical foundations of scientificmethodology.* Develops a new model of nursing knowledgeDr. Mark Risjord is Associate Professor in Philosophy atEmory University, and has a faculty appointment in the Nell HodgsonWoodruff School of Nursing. His main research areas have been inthe philosophy of social science and the philosophy ofmedicine. He was invited to has been teaching philosophy ofscience and theory development in the new PhD program in the NellHodgson School of Nursing at Emory University insince 1999.He has been awarded two competitive teaching prizes: Emory WilliamsDistinguished Teaching Award (2004) and the Excellence in TeachingAward (1997). He is presently serving as the Masse-Martin/NEHDistinguished Teaching Chair (2006-2010).