An introduction to a postmodern approach to nursing research: discourse analysis - part 1: research

Abstract

This article serves as an introduction to discourse analysis. It therefore does not give an account for the whole research process. Due to logistical reasons, because this is a relatively new and multifaceted approach in research, this article involves only introductory remarks about discourse analysis as approach to qualitative, reflexive nursing research. Different postmodern ";approaches"; to qualitative nursing research derived from other disciplines are being rooted in nursing as epistemology. Discourse analysis is introduced as a Poststructuralist and Social Constructionist ";approach"; to nursing research developing within the postmodern line of thought. A qualitative exploratory research design was chosen that explored specific Poststructuralist and Social Constructionist literature on research by means of an in-depth literature review. The sample was chosen from Poststructuralist and Social Constructionist literature on research in general as these paradigms have not been described in South African literature on nursing research. The ideas on discourse analysis as a research ";approach"; of Parker (1992: 6-20) and Terre Blanche & Durrheim (1999: 154-167) are discussed. Discourse analysis could serve as a valuable ";approach"; in nursing research as it challenges current dominant ways of understanding or viewing the objects of study. This process opens up space for alternative reflections that could lead to change.



Hierdie artikel dien as 'n inleiding tot diskoers-analise. Dit beoog dus nie om die hele navorsingsproses breedvoerig te bespreek nie aangesien diskoers-analise 'n relatief nuwe en multifasettige benadering in navorsing is. Vanweë logistiese redes word in hierdie artikel slegs inleidende gedagtes oor diskoers-analise as benadering tot kwalitatiewe, refleksiewe verpleegnavorsing ingesluit. Verskillende postmoderne ";benaderings"; tot kwalitatiewe navorsing word in die verpleegkunde as epistemologie beskryf en het begin wortelskiet. Diskoers-analise word bespreek as 'n ";benadering"; tot navorsing wat ontstaan het uit die Poststrukturalisme en Sosiale konstruksionisme binne die postmoderne denkstroom. 'n Kwalitatiewe, eksplorerende navorsingsontwerp is gekies waardeur 'n indiepte literatuurstudie onderneem is om diskoers-analise as ";benadering"; tot navorsing te ondersoek. Die literatuurstudie is op die paradigmas van Poststrukturalisme en Sosiale konstruksionisme gerig en die ";benadering"; tot navorsing wat uit hierdie paradigmas voortvloei aangesien hierdie raamwerke nog nie in Suid-Afrikaanse literatuur oor navorsing in die verpleegkunde vervat is nie. Die sienings oor diskoers-analise as ";benadering"; in navorsing van Parker (1992: 6-20) en Terre Blanche & Durrheim (1999: 154-167) word bespreek. Diskoers-analise kan as 'n waardevolle ";benadering"; tot navorsing in die verpleegkunde dien aangesien dit huidige dominante verstaanswyses bevraagteken. Dit skep ruimte vir alternatiewe refleksies en ander verstaansmoontlikhede waarbinne die potensiaal vir verandering dan ontstaan.


(Health SA Gesondheid: interdisciplinary research journal: 2002 7(1): 3-9)