BULANADI, Kristine Jade D.

CHAPTER 3 FOUR WAYS OF KNOWING

1. What is empirical knowing?
We gain EMPIRICAL knowledge from research and objective facts. This knowledge is
systematically organized into general laws and theories. One of the ways we employ this
knowledge is through the use of evidenced-based practice (EBP). This way of knowing is often
referred to as the science of nursing (Chinn & Kramer, 2015). Can you relate how study findings
have changed your nursing practice?
2. Evidence-based practice as part of Empirical Knowing
#1 Davis a nursing student answer a question posed by a clinical instructor
based on what he learned from the school.
#2 Elmer, a nurse researcher, uses scientific method to produce desired study
results.
#3 Nurse Michael practices nursing interventions based from accepted clinical
practice.
3. What are Evidence Reports?
These reports provide comprehensive, science-based information on common, costly medical conditions
and new health care technologies and strategies. The EPCs review all relevant scientific literature on a
wide spectrum of clinical and health services topics.

4. What is Aesthetic Knowing?

The final way of knowing identified by Carper (1978) is AESTHETIC Knowing. Aesthetic knowing
makes nursing an art. It takes all of the other ways of knowing and through it creates new
understanding of a phenomena. Aesthetic knowing is that aha moment that we have when we
uncovered something new; and just as an artist creates a painting, you are afforded the
opportunity of new perspective. Consider a time when you had an aha moment. How did you
come to that discovery?
5. What is Ethical Knowing?
ETHICAL knowing helps one develop our own moral code; our sense of knowing what is right and
wrong. For nurses, our personal ethics is based on our obligation to protect and respect human
life. Our deliberate personal actions are guided by ethical knowing . The Code of Ethics for
Nurses (American Nurses Association, 2015) can guide us as we develop and refine our moral
code. Can you think of an occasion that you needed to make an ethical decision? If you are like
many practicing nurses, you make several every single day.
6. What is personal Knowing?
PERSONAL knowing refers to the knowledge we have of ourselves and what we have seen and
experienced. This type of knowledge comes to us through the process of observation, reflection,
and self-actualization. It is through knowledge of ourselves that we are able to establish
authentic, therapeutic relationships as it propels us towards wholeness and integrity (Chinn &
Kramer, 2015). When you began to study nursing, what knowledge did you possess? Consider
what you have learned sincein your personal life, in school, and through practice.
7. What are Grand theories?
Grand theory: provides a conceptual framework under which the key concepts and
principles of the discipline can be identified.
8. How about Middle-range theories?
Middle range theory: is more precise and only analyses a particular situation with a limited
number of variables.
9. How about Micro-Range Theories?
These theories consist of one or two concepts and their application is limited to a
particular event or a set of working hypotheses or propositions.
BULANADI, Kristine Jade D.

10. Analysis and Evaluation of Theory in terms of: clarity, simplicity,

generality, empirical precision, derivable consequences
Clarity, Is this clear?-- this question addresses the clarity and consistency of
presentation; clarity an consistency may be both semantic and structural.
Simplicity as an important evaluative criterion (Kuhn 1977; Newton-Smith, 1981;
Chin and Jacobs, 1983) others propose complexity (Ellis, 1968; Barnum, 1990)
Meleis (1985) take more pragmatic approach; whether the theory has a lot of
phenomena and relationships (complexity) or it focuses on fewer concepts and few
relationships.
Kuhns (1997) describes as bringing order to phenomenon that in its absence would
be isolated and confused.
Generality, Is this general? This question addresses the scope of experiences
covered by theory; generality infers a wide scope of phenomena, whereas specificity
narrows the range of events included in theory.
Empirical Precision, How accessible is the theory?
Empirical precision is linked to the testability and ultimate use of a theory and it
refers to theextent that the defined concepts are grounded in observable reality.
Derivable consequences, How important is this theory?

Reference:

http://nurses.excelsior.edu/nursing-the-ways-of-knowing/

https://www.scribd.com/doc/41405812/4-Ways-of-Knowing

http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/nursing_theories_overview.html

https://www.coursehero.com/file/p4b047i/Micro-Range-Theory-Practice-Theory-These-theories-
consist-of-one-or-two/

https://www.slideshare.net/MariaPoly/evaluation-ofanursingtheorynursingtheoryppt