Cultural Competence and Historical Research Methods: Issues of Difference, Issues of Similarity

Paper

Friday, July 23, 2004

This presentation is part of : Revealing the Context of Nursing Practice: History Research Methodology

Lynn Houweling, MS, RN, CCRN, The Center for the Study of the History of Nursing, The Center for the Study of the History of Nursing, The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Objective: This presentation analyzes the contribution of historical methodology in understanding the framework of cultural difference and similarities. While comparing and contrasting historical research methods with other research methods, this paper also describes the steps for preparing to implement an historical research project with an emphasis on areas mediated by culture.

Implications: Our patterns of understanding are shaped by our culture and are established by, and affect, our professional history. Historical research that provides recognition and thorough analysis of cultural imperatives informs theory, research, and practice in profoundly important ways. Culturally specific issues of status, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, country of origin, kinship ties, and language all affect the awareness and understanding of the historical researcher as well as the content and meaning of historical data. Therefore, methods of doing nursing history research are necessarily affected by the culture of the researcher and the culture of the studied institutions, group and individuals. Consequently, this session explores how the steps of developing an historical research project, including identifying a question, performing a literature review, identifying and analyzing historical data, accessing funding sources, and publishing a paper are all culturally negotiated areas of historical research.

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Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004