In this unit, you will explore nursing knowledge, ways of knowing in nursing, nursing theory, and the role of reasoning in everyday life and nursing practice. Understanding how knowledge, theory, and reasoning relate to each other is important as you begin consideration of your own nursing practice philosophy (more about that in Unit 7).
The following are some questions to consider as you work through this unit:
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
How would you define "knowledge"? What are some definitions that come to your mind? Spend a moment thinking about this and write down your thoughts before reading the definitions below. To see the definitions, hold the left mouse button down as you drag the mouse between the arrows.
Knowledge has been defined by Johnson and Webber as -->the "Culmination of the integration of what is known and understood through learning and experience" (2010, p. 317).<--
The Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of knowledge is -->"a (1) : the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association (2) : acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique" (2010, para.2).<--
How do these two definitions compare with yours? Can you know something without understanding it?
"Understand[ing] means to comprehend of grasp the significance of" (Johnson and Webber, 2010, p. 318).
Johnson and Webber expand on this by noting that "You can have knowledge of, or know, something without understanding it, but you cannot understand it without first knowing or having knowledge about it. As example of this is that many people know what a computer is and how to use it, but few understand how a computer works" (2010, p. 41).
Given the definitions above, knowledge includes knowing and understanding! This leads to the questions "How do you know what you know?" and "Where did you get that knowledge?" which are addressed in the following learning activity.
What is "epistemology"?
"Epistemology: -->The study of knowledge; examination of the origin, history, nature, scope, functions, processes and limitations of knowledge" (Johnson & Webber, 2010, p. 316).<--
Zander (2007) addresses Carper's (1978) original four ways of knowing for nurses in her article Ways of Knowing in Nursing: The Historical Evolution of a Concept". As you read this journal article, answer the following:
Check Your Responses for possible answers to this Learning Activity.
Check Your Responses for possible answers to this Learning Activity.
Review the descriptions of how nurses use theory, knowledge, research and reasoning in their practice in your Johnson and Webber (2010) textbook. Relate these processes to your own practice by considering the following questions.
There is no one type of reasoning that can be used to develop, test, and refine the theories and knowledge needed to guide nursing practice, education, administration, or research.
After reading Johnson and Webber (2010, pp. 57-60), complete the
following chart to compare three types of reasoning used in nursing:
deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning. Printable version of
chart.
|
Type of Reasoning |
Deductive |
Inductive |
Abductive |
|
Begin process with |
facts, principles, laws generally accepted as true |
|
|
|
Process |
|
specific to general |
|
|
Solution |
|
|
Form new propositions or ideas. |
|
Examples |
|
|
|
Which type of reasoning is most certain as a basis for decisions? For what reason(s) is this true?
Which type(s) of reasoning leads to the creation of new knowledge?
Which of the three types of reasoning results in knowledge that is often difficult to demonstrate or verify through research?
What is dialectical reasoning? Does it fit within the three types of reasoning listed in the chart above? Provide a rationale for your answer.
Check Your Responses for possible answers to this Learning Activity.
Burr, A. (2010, May 19). Nursing theories:
Love 'em or leave 'em. [Blog post]. Retrieved from
http://scrubsmag.com/nursing-theories-love-em-or-leave-em/
College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (2006). Entry-to-practice competencies for the registered nurses profession. Edmonton, AB: Author
Encantadora7. (2009, February 24). Tribute
to nursing theories and those who practice them. [Video file].
Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz0oC0YqpO0&feature=fvw
Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, San
Diego University.
(2010). The nursing theory page. Retrieved from
http://www.sandiego.edu/academics/nursing/theory/
Johnson, B.M., & Webber, P.B. (2010). An introduction to theory and reasoning in nursing (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer/Lippencott, Williams & Wilkins.
Merriam-Webster. (2010). Knowledge.
Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knowledge
Nursing Theories. (2011, January 11).
Introduction to nursing theories. Retrieved from
http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/introduction.htmlThinkExist.com
Quotations. (2010). Ralph Waldo
Emerson quotes.
Retrieved from
http://en.thinkexist.com/quotation/Knowledge_is_knowing_that_we_cannot_know/223507.html
Tourville, C. & Ingalls, K. (2003). The living tree of nursing theories. Nursing Forum, 38(2), 21-36.
Zander. P. E. (2007). Ways of knowing in nursing: The historical evolution of the concept. Journal of Theory Construction and Testing, 11(1), 7-11. Retrieved from http://0-search.ebscohost.com.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/
Last updated: January 7, 2013
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