Theory unmasked: The uses and guises of theory in qualitative research
Abstract
The role of theory in qualitative research is variable and not always well understood. In this article, the uses and varied manifestations of theory at the substantive and paradigmatic levels of research, and as they pertain to different qualitative approaches, are described. Specific consideration is given to the varied sources, centrality, temporal placement, and functions of theory in qualitative research. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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The importance of making theory explicit in medical education research is recognised.
“The importance of making theory explicit in medical education research is therefore recognised.11–13”
From Cultural Historical Activity Theory for Studying Practice-Based Learning and Change in Medical Education (2021) · cites this paper as [12]
Theory can be employed in research in a variety of ways and may be explicit or implicit.
“Theory – propositions which are logically aligned and are used to explain the relation(s) between different constructs44 – can be employed in research in a variety of ways and may be explicit or implicit.12”
From Cultural Historical Activity Theory for Studying Practice-Based Learning and Change in Medical Education (2021) · cites this paper as [12]
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The qualitative content analysis process
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“Sandelowski (1993) explained that, in qualitative studies, theory may inform the conceptual context and research questions and may be used during the analysis or in the interpretation/discussion of results.”
BackgroundAggregating Qualitative Findings: An Approach to Theory Development
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A Meta-Study of Qualitative Research Examining Sport and Recreation Experiences of Indigenous Youth
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- Authors
- Sandelowski, M.
- Affiliations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
- Corresponding author
- Sandelowski, Margarete
- Venue
- Research in Nursing & Health
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1993-06
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 213-218
- ISSN
- 0160-6891 (ISSN-L)
- 1098-240X
- OpenAlex
- W1965093772
- Cited by
- 335
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 14 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 20.47
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Research in Nursing & Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Data Analysis and Archiving
- Keywords
- theory in qualitative research, qualitative research paradigms, qualitative research approaches, theory application, nursing research, epistemology of qualitative research
- MeSH terms
- Nursing Theory, Nursing Research
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