Some aspects of the relation between theory and research in nursing

It is suggested that theory can be generated in three principle ways, these being induction, deduction and speculation. The use of these methodological approaches in nursing research and theory construction is briefly examined. The usefulness of theories and models is not doubted, but the extent to which some 'theorists' claim scientific status for their speculations (e.g. Martha Rogers) is deprecated. Finally it is argued that a brief overview of the central problems of epistemology is of value to students of theory and research.