LESSON 4: PARADIGMS FOR NURSING RESEARCH
INTRODUCTION OF THE LESSON AND LEARNING OUTCOME
The research questions that nurses ask, and the methods used to address their
questions, stem from their worldviews or philosophy. In research, a paradigm refers to a
worldview. In nursing, two broad paradigms provide a philosophical basis of research
studies: (a) positivist paradigm and (b) naturalistic or constructivist paradigm. Are you ready
to learn about these paradigms?
At the end of this lesson, you must have demonstrated an understanding of
positivism and constructivism as the philosophical basis for nursing research.
WARM-UP ACTIVITY
Considering your previous research experiences, what personal beliefs have
influenced the research questions asked, and the choice of methods to answer the
questions? Write your answers in the table below. Afterwards, kindly take a photo of your
answer and post it in this lesson's discussion forum.
Beliefs that influenced the framing of research questions and choosing research
methods
LEARNING INPUTS
The two broad paradigms (positivism and constructivism) for nursing research have
different assumptions. What does assumption mean? An assumption is a principle
considered as true without validation.
The positivist paradigm governed nursing research for decades. This paradigm can be
traced to philosophers, such as Newton and Locke, during the 19th century.
Positivists assume that reality exists out there that can be known. Positivists presume
that nature is orderly and regular, and that reality exists but not created by the human mind.
Positivists adopt the assumption of determinism, believing that phenomena have
antecedent causes. Many research endeavors aim to understand the underlying causes of
natural phenomena under the positivist paradigm.
Positivism also adheres to reductionism. That is, it aims to reduce concepts and test
small and separate sets of ideas (e.g., the variables of theories, hypotheses, and research
questions). Further, positivists believe in objective reality. Thus, their research approach uses
orderly, tightly controlled procedures to test ideas regarding the nature and relationships
among phenomena under investigation. Positivism develops knowledge through
conscientious observation and measurement of objective reality.
Rigid positivist thought was challenged and weakened, and few researchers follow
the principles of pure positivism. Postpositivists, who have a modified positivist stand, seek
to understand reality and acknowledge that total objectivity is impossible. However, they
strive to be objective by being neutral and unbiased. Besides, postpositivist certainly
recognize the barriers to knowing reality, thus search for probable evidence. Postpositivism
continues to dominate nursing research.
The constructivist paradigm, otherwise known as the naturalistic paradigm, started
as a move to balance or oppose positivism exemplified by Weber and Kant, among other
writers. This paradigm is a primary alternative system for nursing research.
Researchers who support the naturalistic paradigm believe that reality is not fixed.
Naturalistic researchers regard reality as the construction of research participants’ minds
within a situated context, and that multiple realities exist. Truth is an element of the human
mind’s constructions of reality. Accordingly, naturalistic inquirers adopt relativism, that is, if
individuals have multiple interpretations of reality, then there is no way to determine the
falsehood of their interpretations or the ultimate truth.
The constructivist paradigm presumes that the researcher and the participant need
to work closely to maximize knowledge generation and theory development. In
understanding a phenomenon of interest, the participants' voices and interpretations are
essential, which can be best accessed through personal interactions. The communication
between the researcher and the participants produce the findings of the constructivist
investigation.
CENTRAL ACTIVITIES
Activity 1
The items listed in the table below are the types of assumptions and the
corresponding characteristics. Identify the characteristics true to each paradigm (positivism
or constructivism). Write your responses in the third column of the table. Once finished,
please take a photo of your output and post it in the discussion forum for this lesson.
Types of Assumptions Characteristics Paradigms
Nature of reality 1. Reality exists, and real 1.
natural causes drive the real
world 2.
2. Reality is multiple and
subjective
Researcher’s 1. The researcher interacts 1.
relationship with those with those being researched to
being researched generate findings
2. The researcher is 2.
independent from those being
researched
Role of values in the 1. Seeks objectivity; thus 1.
investigation values and biases of the
researcher are held in check
2. Subjectivity and values 2.
are necessary and favored
Activity 2
The table below indicates the characteristics or elements of the two broad
paradigms: positivism and constructivism. Identify the characteristics or elements true to
each paradigm. Write your responses in the second column of the table. When finished,
kindly take a photo of your output and post it in the discussion forum for this lesson.
Characteristics or elements Paradigms
A holistic understanding of human experience
Determination of underlying causes of phenomena
Reductionism
Multiple participant meanings
Theory generation
Empirical observation and measurement
Relativism
Theory verification
WRAP-UP ACTIVITY
Considering your learning in this lesson, describe the worldview that will guide your
way of framing future research questions and in choosing the methods to address them.
Kindly provide a concise description as to assumptions, characteristics, or elements. Please
limit your answer to five sentences. Indicate your responses using the table below. When
finished, please take a photo of your output and post it in the lesson’s discussion forum.
Worldview or Paradigm Description
ASSESSMENT (POST-ASSESSMENT)
A ten-item quiz will be used to assess your understanding of the paradigms for
nursing research. You will take the exam during our next class session.
REFERENCES
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods
approaches (4th ed). SAGE Publication, Inc.
Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2014). Essentials of nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing
practice (8th ed.). Lippincott Williams &Wilkins.
