Postpositivist critical multiplism: Its value for nursing research

Abstract

AIM: Following persistent criticisms of logical positivism, postpositivism emerged as a philosophy of science for developing nursing knowledge. Here, we offer a discussion of postpositivist critical multiplism and its value to nursing research. DESIGN: Discussion paper. METHODS: We searched relevant literature published between 1978-2018, indexed in CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed or PsychINFO. Findings are discussed in the context of stroke nursing research. RESULTS: Postpositivist critical multiplism acknowledges the importance of human influence on knowledge development and enables nurse researchers to use multiple approaches to address complex human phenomena. In doing so, the unique perspectives of stakeholder groups including patients, family members, knowledge users can be respected. There are certain steps that can be used by critical multiplist investigators to approach stroke nursing research. Using these steps and the critical multiplist approach may minimize preconceptions or biases associated with using one research method over another and maximize confidence in resultant research knowledge.