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Journeying from the philosophical contemplation of constructivism to the methodological pragmatics of health services research
Author(s) -
Appleton Jane V.,
King Lindy
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of advanced nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.948
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1365-2648
pISSN - 0309-2402
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2648.2002.02424.x
Subject(s) - constructivism (international relations) , epistemology , contemplation , underpinning , metatheory , pragmatics , realism , qualitative research , sociology , psychology , philosophy , social science , linguistics , political science , politics , law , engineering , international relations , civil engineering
Aim. This paper presents our journey through a contemplation of the philosophical origins of constructivism to consider its role as an active methodology in qualitative research. Method. The first part of the paper summarizes the philosophical background of constructivism and the five principles underpinning this paradigm as described through the works of Guba and Lincoln. The philosophical roots of constructivism are then compared with postpositivism, critical realism and participatory inquiry. The paper moves on to consider their common methodological steps, before examining how the constructivist research strategy is being adopted and adapted within the pragmatics of health service research. Recent studies will be drawn upon to illustrate the use of constructivist methodology. Conclusion. Questions are raised about the role of philosophy and the extent to which it should or does underpin or influence qualitative research strategies. We believe that if researchers gain an understanding of both philosophy and methodology a richer and more robust study is likely to result.