Objectives - Theory/Research/Evidence
Based Research - Chapter 5
1.Explain the sources of, types of, and historical influences on nursing knowledge. -
ANS-NURSING KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge is an awareness of the reality one acquires through learning or investigation. Every
individual collects, organizes, and arranges facts to build a knowledge base relevant to his or
her personal reality.
Sources of Knowledge
Knowledge comes from a variety of sources and may be traditional, authoritative, or scientific.
Traditional Knowledge
Traditional knowledge is that part of nursing practice passed down from generation to
generation. When questioned about the origin of such nursing practices, nurses might reply,
"We've always done it this way." Changing bedclothes is an example of how traditional
knowledge has affected nursing practice. It is customary in acute care settings to change a
patient's bedclothes daily, whether soiled or not. There are no research data to support this, yet
virtually millions of hospital beds are changed daily because this practice is accepted as a
necessary component of quality patient care. Until this practice is challenged scientifically and
its assumed value disproved, it will remain a traditional part of patient care.
Authoritative knowledge comes from an expert and is accepted as truth based on the person's
perceived expertise—for example, when a senior staff nurse teaches a new graduate nurse a
more efficient method of doing a technical procedure, such as inserting an intravenous catheter.
The senior nurse has gained knowledge through experience, and the new graduate nurse
accepts it as truth based on the perceived authority of the experienced nurse. Authoritative
knowledge generally remains unchallenged as long as the presumed authority maintains his or
her perceived expertise.
Scientific Knowledge
Scientific knowledge is that knowledge arrived at through the scientific method (implying through
research). New ideas are tested and measured systemat
\2.Compare and contrast systems theory, adaptation theory, and developmental theory. -
ANS-General systems theory has been used in a wide range of disciplines since it emerged in
the 1920s. Its primary theorist, Ludwig von Bertalanffy, developed the theory for universal
application. This theory describes how to break whole things into parts and then to learn how
the parts work together in "systems." It emphasizes relationships between the whole and the
Based Research - Chapter 5
1.Explain the sources of, types of, and historical influences on nursing knowledge. -
ANS-NURSING KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge is an awareness of the reality one acquires through learning or investigation. Every
individual collects, organizes, and arranges facts to build a knowledge base relevant to his or
her personal reality.
Sources of Knowledge
Knowledge comes from a variety of sources and may be traditional, authoritative, or scientific.
Traditional Knowledge
Traditional knowledge is that part of nursing practice passed down from generation to
generation. When questioned about the origin of such nursing practices, nurses might reply,
"We've always done it this way." Changing bedclothes is an example of how traditional
knowledge has affected nursing practice. It is customary in acute care settings to change a
patient's bedclothes daily, whether soiled or not. There are no research data to support this, yet
virtually millions of hospital beds are changed daily because this practice is accepted as a
necessary component of quality patient care. Until this practice is challenged scientifically and
its assumed value disproved, it will remain a traditional part of patient care.
Authoritative knowledge comes from an expert and is accepted as truth based on the person's
perceived expertise—for example, when a senior staff nurse teaches a new graduate nurse a
more efficient method of doing a technical procedure, such as inserting an intravenous catheter.
The senior nurse has gained knowledge through experience, and the new graduate nurse
accepts it as truth based on the perceived authority of the experienced nurse. Authoritative
knowledge generally remains unchallenged as long as the presumed authority maintains his or
her perceived expertise.
Scientific Knowledge
Scientific knowledge is that knowledge arrived at through the scientific method (implying through
research). New ideas are tested and measured systemat
\2.Compare and contrast systems theory, adaptation theory, and developmental theory. -
ANS-General systems theory has been used in a wide range of disciplines since it emerged in
the 1920s. Its primary theorist, Ludwig von Bertalanffy, developed the theory for universal
application. This theory describes how to break whole things into parts and then to learn how
the parts work together in "systems." It emphasizes relationships between the whole and the
