Minding the gap: some theory-practice disjunctions in nursing education research

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education Research
• Healthcare Policy
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Nursing and nurse education are undergoing significant disruption from complex institutional forces.
• A persistent challenge in nursing is the gap between theoretical ideals and practical realities.
• Research-based knowledge is intended to bridge these gaps but may inadvertently create new ones.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically deconstruct three influential research projects sponsored by the English National Board (ENB).
• To analyze how these research reports may introduce 'Utopianism' and perpetuate theory-practice gaps.
• To identify key issues for future nursing research development, particularly for educationalists.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative deconstruction of three selected ENB-sponsored research projects.
• Critical analysis of research reports to identify underlying assumptions and potential impacts.
• Literature review on theory-practice gaps in nursing and nurse education.

Main Results:

• The deconstruction revealed that the analyzed research reports introduced elements of 'Utopianism'.
• These reports, intended to close theory-practice gaps, may have inadvertently reinserted or widened them.
• Idealistic findings in nursing research can present challenges for practical application in education and practice.

Conclusions:

• Future nursing research must address the potential for 'Utopianism' and its impact on theory-practice integration.
• Five key issues for developing more effective nursing research are identified, with implications for educational policy.
• A more critical approach to research deconstruction is needed to ensure practical relevance in nursing education and practice.