Nursing Knowledge Development

Catalog description

This course involves two critical issues for knowledge development for the discipline of nursing. First, epistemology is the study of knowledge shared among members of the discipline, the patterns of knowing and knowledge development, and criteria for evaluating knowledge claims and philosophy of science. The epistemological focus is aimed at enabling students to become knowledgeable about approaches to the study of disciplines and scientific knowledge development. Forces affecting the development of knowledge, the origins of key terms and concepts, and identification of major themes in nursing will be examined. Second, the nature of theory and strategies for theory development in nursing will be evaluated. The appraisal and discussion of theory will enable students to apply a variety of strategies and select an approach for beginning theory development that addresses phenomena in their area of interest. Prereq: Enrolled in the PhD in Nursing program.