Since I'm interested in Conceptual Analysis, I've been searching for work making use of this "research method". What surprised me is that almost half of the papers I found are from the field/discipline of Nursing Studies/Research. Considering that arguably all scientific fields/disciplines (sociology, psychology, mathematics, engineering, linguistics, law, economics, physics, philosophy, medicine, etc.) could equally employ Conceptual Analysis, can anyone explain to me the special connection there seems to be between Nursing Studies/Research and Conceptual Analysis? Thank you!
Etienne,
There will be a few reasons for this - such as a high proportion of nursing research that is what I call 'naval-gazing' research i.e. trying to make sense of 'abstract' things and 'what is the nature of things'. There may be multiple terms for these 'issues' and those terms are often used interchangeably/incorrectly. Concept analysis is designed to bring clarity to this prevelant issue in nursing. Of course, it isn't just unique to nursing though - which is why you will see it with other disciplines.
Another reason is that most of the seminal frameworks i.e. Morse, Rodgers, Walker and Avant, Hupcey etc were developed by nurses.
A further reason, and one that some might not like me saying, is that it can be deemed as 'easier' research compared to other methodologies and yet still publishable. The data for concept analysis is narrative data derived from the existing literature. It does not require sampling and setting techniques, the recruitment of participants, ethics approval - nor data collection in the physical clinical field.
Etienne,
There will be a few reasons for this - such as a high proportion of nursing research that is what I call 'naval-gazing' research i.e. trying to make sense of 'abstract' things and 'what is the nature of things'. There may be multiple terms for these 'issues' and those terms are often used interchangeably/incorrectly. Concept analysis is designed to bring clarity to this prevelant issue in nursing. Of course, it isn't just unique to nursing though - which is why you will see it with other disciplines.
Another reason is that most of the seminal frameworks i.e. Morse, Rodgers, Walker and Avant, Hupcey etc were developed by nurses.
A further reason, and one that some might not like me saying, is that it can be deemed as 'easier' research compared to other methodologies and yet still publishable. The data for concept analysis is narrative data derived from the existing literature. It does not require sampling and setting techniques, the recruitment of participants, ethics approval - nor data collection in the physical clinical field.
A conceptual analysis is important because it has capability to produce rigorous meaning and explanation of concept. It can also offer more similar high-quality studies to be conduct.
Thank you Etienne Lehoux-Jobin for your question. I think it is the "culture" usually dominate and affect the type of research they read, study, teach, review and try to create—this factor influence research created by each profession- general practitioners for example versus molecular biologists etc. The second factor is possibly the "rationale" for their publications and research, and the questions that they are facing. This is also bounded by the scope and the priorities of the profession, and whether the focus is the big picture or the fine details. However, there are exceptions.
In Nursing research we connect our study on concepts to gather wide ideas to prove a certain study. Yes, it is true that it is more noted in the nursing field but remember that nursing researches or studies use some concepts in psychology, in business management to anchor their study. That would depend on the type,origin, and culture of the study to be undertaken.
Research read as 'conceptual analysis' could be considered philosophical, and so regarded as Analytical Philosophy. However, for more than two decades, nursing research has included discussion of Phenomenology, distinct from Analytical Philosophy. Particularly evident is Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
Hi Mark,
Following Marcos and others, are we not discussing nursing research? Tomkins and Eatough (2013), for instance, identify types of caring narrative practices: ‘care as intervention’; ‘care as anticipation’; ‘care as advocacy’; and finally ‘care
as intersubjectivity’. They suggest ‘honour(ing) personhood and independence’, ‘care as intersubjectivity’(ibid.: 15) means respecting nursing recipient decision as its goal or (in phenomenology's terms) 'intentional object'. Relevant?
As a nurse I agree with Dean Whitehead concept analysis is easier in so far as nurses are usually not in a position to carry out large scale cause and effect studies ('real' scientific research) nurses are interested in metaphysics which lends itself to concept analysis but as I think Etienne intimates concept analysis should be part of all research.
A concept analysis of research capacity in nursing can produce a rigorous definition and understanding of the concept, which will allow for more relevant high-quality studies to be conducted. ... Nursing is not only a scientific or theoretical discipline; it is also a profession whose practice should be based on evidence.
A concept analysis of research in nursing can build a cultural environment that appreciates the value of nursing research, and it can be defined as the dissection of a concept into more straightforward elements to promote clarity while providing mutual understanding within nursing. If the researcher notes a lack of transparency surrounding the idea, a concept analysis should undertake to achieve a better understanding of the concept. A concept analysis can elucidate the meaning of the concept in current use, which can contribute.
To prove a certain study,and to gather wide ideas in nursing research we connect with our study on concepts
The four major methodological approaches to concept analysis (Wilson-derived methods, qualitative methods, critical analysis of the literature, and quantitative methods) . The literature may be selected according to the level of the maturity of the concept and the purpose of the analysis. These methods have the ability to facilitate inquiry for concept development, delineation, comparison, clarification, correction, and identification. Quantitative methods may be used for exploring concepts (e.g., delineating conceptual boundaries), and quantitative instrumentation may be used for concept validation, operationalization, and measurement, thus complementing concept analysis methods by moving inquiry into another level of investigation.
I agree with Kapinga that a concept analysis can be used to provide more clarification of the concepts to enable the readers from different backgrounds to get common understanding. In nursing research concept analysis could increase more collaboration among different professionals from health disciplines. Another possible reason to use the concept analysis could be found in methodologies used by researchers, like qualitative methods that are frequently used in nursing research.
Thank you very much Judith, to add the methodology frequently use in nursing.
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