Philosophy and quality? TAPUPASM as an approach to rigour in critical realist research

Date

2019-01-17

Advisors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

ISSN

1351-5578

Volume Title

Publisher

RCNi

Type

Article

Peer reviewed

Yes

Abstract

Background Philosophical principles should guide how research is designed, conducted and appraised. The more traditional and commonly used approaches to positivist (validity and generalisability) or interpretivist (trustworthiness) research do not necessarily complement the philosophical principles of post-positivist critical realism.

Aims To discuss an approach to ensuring scientific rigour in post-positivist critical realist research using an enhanced version of the quality assurance model, TAPUPAS, that has an additional criterion: modified objectivity.

Discussion The authors present examples of the quality framework TAPUPASM in the planning, design, conduct and dissemination of a realist research study. These strategies include choices about the collection and analysis of data, as well as how to disseminate findings using methods other than traditional academic approaches. They also provide a practical example of how they used TAPUPASM to ensure rigour in a critical realist ethnographic study in pre-registration nurse education.

Conclusion TAPUPASM provides a framework for quality in post-positivist critical realist research. Implications for practice Nurse researchers can use the strategies provided to plan, design, conduct and disseminate critical realist research.

Description

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.

Keywords

Ethnography, methodology, research, research methods, study design

Citation

Ryan, G. and Rutty, J. (2019) Philosophy and quality? TAPUPASM as an approach to rigour in critical realist research. Nurse Researcher, 27(1), pp.33-40.

Rights

Research Institute