title: In the margins of the mind: development of a projective research methodology for the study of nursing practice.
abstract: This article presents an original research method derived from the Thematic Apperception Test used in clinical psychology to understand human motivation and action. The research method is derived from the theory of projection, which states that humans will perceive stimuli in terms of their own expectations and motives and will credit others with their own attitudes, beliefs, traits, and dispositions. Projective techniques are one of a handful of methods that provide access to this type of knowledge since it resides below the level of consciousness. Use of this type of method in nursing research may be fruitful because of its capacity to make apparent the complex interplay between a clinician's beliefs and the interpretation of meaning that motivates clinical action.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Minneapolis 55419, USA. mary.regan@mnsu.edu
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Regan
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liaschenko
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003243:Consciousness; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D033262:Narration; D009321:Natural Childbirth / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research / Q000379:methods*; D009736:Nursing Process / Q000458:organization & administration; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D018579:Patient Selection; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design; D012944:Social Support; D013803:Thematic Apperception Test