Critical realism in nursing: an emerging approach

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Science
• Nursing Research Methodology

Background:

• Critical realism, developed by Roy Bhaskar, is an emerging philosophical framework.
• Its application in nursing research is relatively new and underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the ontological and epistemological tenets of critical realism.
• To examine the application of critical realist principles in nursing research and practice.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of published nursing research studies utilizing critical realism.
• Analysis of the strengths and limitations of critical realism's presentation and use.

Main Results:

• Few nursing research studies have adopted critical realism as their primary paradigm.
• The explicitation and application of critical realism in existing studies show varying degrees of success.

Conclusions:

• Critical realism holds potential value for nursing research and practice.
• Enhancing the quality of publications on critical realism is crucial for its effective integration into nursing scholarship.