In Search of Nursing Science

by Anna K. Omery (Editor), Christine E. Kasper (Editor), Gayle G. Page (Editor)

Overview

This important book analyzes the major schools of thought in contemporary Western science in order to arrive at a philosophy (or philosophies) of science consistent with the discipline of nursing.

After examining traditional empiricist views of science, the contributors focus on the schools of thought that challenge them. Next, they introduce postmodern schools of thought including feminism, phenomenology, critical theory and poststructuralism.

Each analytic discussion is followed by a chapter exploring how particular tenets of the school have influenced the development of nursing knowledge and nursing science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780803950948
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	01/09/1995
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

M. Adelaide Nursing Chair, School of Nursing, John Hopkins University.

Professor and Independence Chair, School of Nursing, John Hopkins University.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: INTRODUCTION AND THE EMPIRICIST SCHOOL OF THOUGHT
Introduction: Nursing Science for Nursing Practice - Sue Karen Donaldson
Contemporary Empiricism - Sandra J Weiss
Pragmatism - Christine E Kapser
The Problem with the Bottom Line
PART TWO: REVOLUTIONARY/EVOLUTIONARY PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
Science as Tradition and Tradition Shattering - Jacquelyn Anne K Kegley
Thomas Kuhn's Philosophy of Science
Moving Beyond - Barbara Riegel et al
A Generative Philosophy of Science
Science as Problem Solving - Sara T Fry
An Evolutionary Approach to the Discipline of Nursing and Nursing Administration - Cathy Rodgers Ward
PART THREE: POSTMODERN PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
Feminism, Science and Nursing - Ruth Ginzberg
The Method Question - Sandra Harding
Pain: An Issue of Gender - Gayle Giboney Page
Phenomenology and Science - Anna Omery and Carol Mack
The Experience of Surgery - Marlene Zichi Cohen and Kenneth Norris, Jr.
Phenomenological Clinical Nursing Research
A Hermeneutical Human Science for Nursing - Richard H Steeves and David L Kahn
Passages Through the Heart - Francelyn Reeder
A Hermeneutic of Choice
Critical Theory for Science of Nursing Practice - Hesook Suzie Kim and Inger Margrethe Holter
Methodology for Critical Theory - Inger Margrethe Holter and Hesook Suzie Kim
Critical Action Research
Post-Structuralist Science - Laura Dzurec
An Historical Account for Profound Visibility
Severe Mental Disability? Or a Play of Wills? - Laura Dzurec
PART FOUR: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
Applied Science, Practice and Intervention Technology - Anne H Bishop and John R Scudder, Jr.
Science and Practice - Hannah Dean
The Nature of Knowledge
Science as the Predictor of Professional Recognition and Success - Luther Chrisman
Epilogue: The Journey Continues

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Janice M. Morse, PhD, FAAN (Pennsylvania State University)
Description: This book presents an overview of the major philosophies of science that underlie the discipline of nursing. It is organized into four sections: the empiricist school of thought; revolutionary/evolutionary philosophy of science; postmortem philosophy of science; and the relationship between science and practice. The book is an innovative and unique presentation of the eclectic and diverse philosophies used in nursing research and illustrates how these philosophies have been operationalized.
Purpose: The book is intended to identify and compare the various philosophies of science that underlie nursing practice and research and to show how these philosophies guide nursing knowledge development.
Audience: The book will be an invaluable resource for doctoral theory courses. It will also be useful for nursing scholars and researchers. The contributors are all highly qualified.
Features: The high quality of each contribution provides a very even and fair description of each philosophy. No single philosophy is presented above others; as such, the book is a very fair and comprehensive review.
Assessment: This book provides an excellent introduction to very complex and diverse material. It provides, in a succinct manner, content that is difficult to comprehend and evaluate. Particularly valuable is the way various philosophical perspectives have been used in nursing research and practice. The book is highly recommended for nurse scholars, for researchers, and may be considered essential for doctoral level theory courses.

Doody's Review Service

This book presents an overview of the major philosophies of science that underlie the discipline of nursing. It is organized into four sections: the empiricist school of thought; revolutionary/evolutionary philosophy of science; postmortem philosophy of science; and the relationship between science and practice. The book is an innovative and unique presentation of the eclectic and diverse philosophies used in nursing research and illustrates how these philosophies have been operationalized. The book is intended to identify and compare the various philosophies of science that underlie nursing practice and research and to show how these philosophies guide nursing knowledge development. The book will be an invaluable resource for doctoral theory courses. It will also be useful for nursing scholars and researchers. The contributors are all highly qualified. The high quality of each contribution provides a very even and fair description of each philosophy. No single philosophy is presented above others; as such, the book is a very fair and comprehensive review. This book provides an excellent introduction to very complex and diverse material. It provides, in a succinct manner, content that is difficult to comprehend and evaluate. Particularly valuable is the way various philosophical perspectives have been used in nursing research and practice. The book is highly recommended for nurse scholars, for researchers, and may be considered essential for doctoral level theory courses.

Janice M. Morse