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Biomedical subjects

G J Mitchell

Publications and source records attributed to G J Mitchell.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

The role of theory in qualitative research.

Increasingly philosophers and scientists have affirmed that all knowledge is theory-laden and that methods are theory-driven. These assertions raise important questions related to the role of theory in qualitative research. There are scholars who propose that qualitative research can enhance understanding and expand theoretical knowledge from a disciplinary perspective. And there are others who contend that qualitative inquiry is purely inductive and that its validity can therefore be judged by the extent to which preconceived theory is absent from it. The purpose of this article is to examine three qualitative methods, grounded theory, ethnography, and phenomenology, and their use in nursing in order to explicate the role of theory in knowledge development. The authors propose that, by nature, inquiry, discovery, and theoretical interpretation coexist simultaneously and must be recognized as such if the theory-research linkage is to advance nursing science through qualitative research.

Anthropology, Cultural↗
PubMed1993

Aging in the oldest old living in Scotland: a phenomenological study.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to uncover ways in which the oldest old living in a Scottish community view the experience of aging. The research was guided by Parse's theory and followed the van Kaam method to elicit a structural definition of the meaning of aging, as described by the oldest old. Through the processes of intuiting, analyzing, and describing, it was found that the experience of aging is intensifying engagements as transfigurations signify maturity tempering the unavoidable with buoyant serenity. Findings are discussed in light of meaning specified in other explorations of the aging experience. Conceptual expansion enhances understanding for practice and further research.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Time and a waning moon: seniors describe the meaning to later life.

Six hundred older Canadians wrote narratives about the meaning of being a senior. The narratives were analyzed and descriptions of simile, paradox, and humor were extracted. Two paradoxical experiences--sameness-yet-difference and restriction-yet-expansion--were described as seniors shared the mystery of later life. They specified three aspects of humor to shed light on human ways of creating strength and joy: personal humor as essential for survival and as a means of making light of personal frailties, and shared humor as a source of joy and entertainment.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Parse's theory as a model for practice: the cutting edge.

If nursing practice is the performing art of the science of nursing, then practice is guided by nursing theory and cannot be considered separately from it. Nursing theory based practice is the cutting edge of the discipline. Practice methods reflect the beliefs and values of the theories from which they evolve. Nurses' values and beliefs about human beings and health are incarnated in the way they practice. This article presents Parse's theory of human becoming as a model for practice; explicates the beliefs, values, and ethic of the practice method; analyzes the logical coherence of theory and method; illustrates the pragmatics of the method, and gives evidence of its soundness. The theory-research-practice triad developed by Parse articulates a paradigmatic view of the discipline as a whole with a view of the human being as a living unity freely choosing personal meanings in life situations. Parse's practice methodology provides nurses with a way of practicing with a focus on the quality of life as it is humanly lived. It is presented here as the practice component of an emergent theory-research-practice tradition on the cutting edge of nursing science.

Ethics, Nursing↗
PubMed1992

Nursing knowledge and human science: ontological and epistemological considerations.

This article examines the meaning of human science in relation to extant nursing knowledge. The origins of the human science tradition are traced to the philosopher Wilhelm Dilthey, who challenged the dominance of the positivist perspective for generating knowledge of the human lifeworld. Specific ontological and epistemological criteria for human science are proposed. Four nursing frameworks, Paterson and Zderad's humanistic nursing, Newman's model of health as expanding consciousness, Watson's human science and human care, and Parse's theory of human becoming, are found to have consistencies and inconsistencies with the human science tradition. It is proposed that the human science perspective is present in and will continue to be reflected in the evolution of nursing science.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

Theoretic diversity: evolving paradigmatic issues in research and practice.

Although research and practice differ in that one is the building of knowledge and the other the application of that knowledge, it is suggested herein that there are interesting parallels to explore between the evolving debate on research methods and the emerging theoretic debates on practice. On the basis of the Canadian experience and the trend toward adoption of a single-theory approach, the authors argue for theoretic diversity in nursing practice settings.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

Nursing diagnosis: an ethical analysis.

The ethical consequences of nursing diagnosis in light of the principle "to do no harm" have not been adequately explored. It is proposed that human suffering is created through nursing actions that objectively judge and reduce human beings and their complex relationships with the world. The ethical dimensions for nurses required to participate in the diagnostic process are clarified and three levels of potential harm for individuals with parallel ethical conflicts for nurses are described. National nursing associations and accrediting agencies are challenged to consider the paternalistic underpinnings of the diagnostic process and the ethical outcomes of mandating only one approach in practice. Parse's humanistic theory of nursing is presented as one scientific approach which upholds the duty "to do no harm."

Beneficence↗
PubMed1991

The eye of the beholder: Parse's theory with homeless individuals.

This article describes how practice with homeless persons in a community setting was guided by Parse's theory of nursing. The ways in which Parse's theory differs from the traditional problem-based approach are presented. Parse's practice method as lived with homeless individuals is described as it unfolded in both group sessions and individual encounters. Experiences common to all human beings in day-to-day relating with the world are presented from the perspectives of those who are homeless. Group sessions included discussions about love, pain, beauty, and the choices in life. Encounters with individuals clarify how Parse's theory guided the nurse as the person struggled to move on. Individuals involved with the center offered their perceptions of the way nurses interrelated with them. The evaluation of Parse's theory in various practice settings is proposed, and nurses are challenged to consider this innovative approach for guiding practice with all human beings.

Empathy↗
PubMed1990

Theoretical approaches in nursing practice: a comparison of Roy and Parse.

This article compares two different theory-based nursing approaches in a tertiary care setting. The first approach was guided by Roy's adaptation model from the totality paradigm, and the second by Parse's theory from the simultaneity paradigm. Following a brief overview of the practice methodologies of each theory, one individual's situation is described, and practice approaches are offered from each theoretical view. A critical appraisal of the two approaches uncovers distinct opportunities and limitations for both nurses and individuals receiving care.

Adaptation, Biological↗
PubMed1990

Struggling in change: from the traditional approach to Parse's theory-based practice.

This paper presents the struggle of a nurse who changes in practice from being guided by the traditional problem-based approach to being guided by Parse's theory of nursing. Experiences that led to the change are described, and specific practice situations from an acute care setting demonstrate how values and beliefs about human beings and health transformed over time. The nurse's changed values and beliefs lead to a different approach in practice. The nature of the nurse-person relationship is described as it relates to Parse's practice dimensions and processes: illuminating meaning through explicating what is, synchronizing rhythms through dwelling with, and mobilizing transcendence through moving beyond. Emerging patterns of health are presented as an alternative to problem-based statements for guiding nurse-person activities. The value of Parse's theory for guiding practice is offered as it relates to the individual's perspective of enhanced quality of life and the nurse's perspective of professional practice.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗