title: Building qualitative study design using nursing's disciplinary epistemology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the implications of drawing on core nursing knowledge as theoretical scaffolding for qualitative nursing enquiry.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Although nurse scholars have been using qualitative methods for decades, much of their methodological direction derives from conventional approaches developed for answering questions in the social sciences. The quality of available knowledge to inform practice can be enhanced through the selection of study design options informed by an appreciation for the nature of nursing knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  Discussion paper.
  
  
  METHODS
  Drawing on the body of extant literature dealing with nursing's theoretical and qualitative research traditions, we consider contextual factors that have shaped the application of qualitative research approaches in nursing, including prior attempts to align method with the structure and form of disciplinary knowledge. On this basis, we critically reflect on design considerations that would follow logically from core features associated with a nursing epistemology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The substantive knowledge used by nurses to inform their practice includes both aspects developed at the level of the general and also that which pertains to application in the unique context of the particular. It must be contextually relevant to a fluid and dynamic healthcare environment and adaptable to distinctive patient conditions. Finally, it must align with nursing's moral mandate and action imperative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Qualitative research design components informed by nursing's disciplinary epistemology will help ensure a logical line of reasoning in our enquiries that remains true to the nature and structure of practice knowledge.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.|Faculty of Applied Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thorne
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Truant
mesh_terms: D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*; D009742:Nursing Theory; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design
keywords: applied research; epistemology; methodology; nursing knowledge; qualitative research; theoretical framework