Qualitative theory testing as mixed-method research

While the concept of mixed-methods research is more usually associated with combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, this paper outlines a study that mixed methods by undertaking qualitative theory testing and derivation when examining the relationship between health promotion theory and hospital nursing practice. Thus, it is concerned with relating the metatheoretical aspects of the debate and not with the pragmatic aspects of the research and concomitant methods. A deductive–inductive–deductive design, based on the theory–research–theory strategy of Meleis (1985), tested, revised and developed for nursing established health promotion theory using theory-testing criteria. To complement the methodological mix, the study also used the theory (i.e. a health-promotion taxonomy) as a framework to contextualise the findings rather than generate theory in the way associated with interpretative inquiry. While inconsistent with the traditional view linking theory testing with quantitative, objective epistemology, the process enabled a theoretically robust health-promotion taxonomy to be synthesised and advanced for use in nursing in relation to a paradigm of social thought

Structure of criterial referents of attitudes in the Netherlands 1975

Dutch part of a cross-cultural study by Kerlinger et al. on the nature and structure of social attitudes, the other parts being conducted in Spain and the United States. Respondents were asked to express their feelings on a large amount of social, cultural and political concepts and to state to what extent labels like " conservative", " progressive" etc. applied to them. Partly based on C.P. Middendorp's study "Progressiveness and Conservatism" ( P0079 ). Progressiveness / liberalism / conservatism / traditionalism. Background variables: basic characteristics/ residence/ household characteristics/ occupation/employment/ income/capital assets/ education/ social class/ politics/ religion/ organizational membershi