Complex critical realism: tenets and application in nursing research.

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Science
• Nursing Research Methodology

Background:

• Limited discussion exists on applying critical realism (CR) to nursing research.
• This paper addresses this gap by outlining CR's tenets and relevance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To delineate the core principles of critical realism (CR).
• To explore the current and potential applications of CR within nursing.
• To highlight CR's utility in advancing nursing scholarship.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical analysis of critical realism.
• Review of existing literature on CR and nursing.
• Conceptual application of CR tenets to nursing research contexts.

Main Results:

• Critical realism (CR) is defined by its recognition of an independent reality, a generative view of causation in open systems, and a focus on explanations.
• CR supports methodological eclecticism through a postdisciplinary approach.
• CR is valuable for understanding complex health outcomes, optimizing interventions, and researching biopsychosocial pathways.

Conclusions:

• Critical realism (CR) provides a philosophically sound foundation for nursing research.
• CR has significant potential to enhance the rigor and scope of nursing inquiry.
• Its application is pertinent to evidence-based practice, chronic disease management, and population health.