CONSTRUCTIVISM - A NATURALISTIC METHODOLOGY FOR NURSING INQUIRY

This article will explore the philosophical underpinnings of the const ructivist research paradigm. Despite its increasing popularity in eval uative health research studies there is limited recognition of constru ctivism in popular research texts. Lincoln and Guba's original approac h to constructivist methodology is outlined and a detailed framework f or nursing research is offered. Fundamental issues and concerns surrou nding this methodology are debated and differences between method and methodology are highlighted.