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Mental health nurses and qualitative research methods: a mutual attraction?
1Sheffield University and Royal College of Nursing Institute, Oxford, England.
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|March 16, 2000
Summary
Psychiatric/mental health nurses are drawn to qualitative research due to its alignment with core nursing practices like using self and building relationships. This connection suggests potential for richer, albeit implicit, qualitative data in mental health nursing.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Research
- Qualitative Methodologies
Background:
- Curriculum developments prompted an examination of research method preferences among psychiatric/mental health (P/MH) nurses.
- This study explores the affinity between P/MH nursing and specific research approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate why P/MH nurses gravitate towards qualitative research methods.
- To identify the links between P/MH nursing practice and qualitative research paradigms.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of qualitative and quantitative research paradigms.
- Examination of P/MH nurse characteristics and their alignment with research methods.
Main Results:
- A synchronicity exists between P/MH nursing and qualitative research, centered on purposeful use of self, interpersonal relationships, and embracing ambiguity.
- P/MH nursing interactions can generate substantial implicit qualitative data.
Conclusions:
- The alignment suggests implications for P/MH nurse education and research practices.
- Expert clinical judgments may stem from unprocessed, implicitly gathered qualitative data in nursing practice.