Explanation in nursing science

Is it possible to explain that which we do in nursing and in

most human sciences?

Is explanation/prediction our goal?

Should the goal be understanding/interpretation?

Is nursing as a human science, focused on individuality or

generalizability?
 Explanation in nursing science

Recently, a much controversy has risen within nursing

regarding method debate which purports an
extant dichotomy between quantitative/empirical
and qualitative interpretative approach.

The most frequently posited solution to this schism is

triangulated or blended methodology.
 Explanation in nursing science

Arguments regarding application of hempel model and criteria to the non physical
sciences:

- Uniqueness and irrepeatabilty of human beings activities makes them inaccessible to

causal explanation.

- Scientific generalization for human behaviors is not possible because they are at least
partially dependent on the individual history.

- The supposition that purposive behavior calls for reference to motives and thus
necessitates teleological rather than causal explanation.
 Exponents of Hempels Model

Subsumption under general laws as the means for making the study of
social life is truly scientific (Durkeim,1938 ; Weber 1946).

For nursing to take its place among the sciences, concern has centered to
some extent on the formulations of causal explanations.

Reliance on systematically gathered objective data drawn from relatively

large numbers of individuals will yield predictive models and causal
explanations ( Norbeck,1987)

Gortner(1990) stated that meeting the requirements of the covering law

model will legitimize nursing as a science.
 Opponents of Hempels Model in Nursing

According to Dilthey, the natural and human sciences are both empirical, but the former
deals with the outer experience of nature, while the latter are based on inner, lived
experience.

The difference in aims of the natural versus human sciences is characterized as that
between explanation and understanding.

The natural sciences seek causal explanations of nature that connect representations of
outer experience through generalizations.

The human sciences aim at an understanding of the fundamental structures of life found in
the lived experiences.

The human sciences place an equal value on understanding of both individuality and
universality.

Natural sciences place value solely on more comprehensive generalizations without

concern for the individual.
Opponents of Hempels Model in Nursing

According to Bohamn, Hiley, and Shusterman (1991):

- Human sciences are doubly hermeneutics , they are

interpretations of interpretations.

- Interpretation is colored and shaped by the lived

experience of interpreter.
 Millers Theory for Explanation

Distinction of explanation in this theory from other models are:

- An explanation must describe causal factors sufficient to bring

about a phenomenon under circumstances at hand.

- Causal factors must possess sufficient depth.

- The explanation is appropriate for only this particular event

within this context.