Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Which research approach deals with beliefs and their relation to actions?

1. Phemenology

2. Grounded theory

3. Ethnographic research

4. Historical research

The correct answer is: Grounded theory

The approach that deals with beliefs and their relationship to actions is grounded theory. Grounded theory is a qualitative research method that focuses on generating or discovering a theory through the data collected. It emphasizes understanding how individuals' beliefs influence their actions within specific contexts. This method allows researchers to explore the underlying reasons and motivations behind people's behaviors, thereby revealing the connections between their beliefs and actions. In grounded theory, data collection and analysis occur simultaneously, enabling the researcher to develop concepts that are directly grounded in the empirical data. Through this iterative process, it becomes possible to construct a theory that explains how beliefs shape behaviors, making it particularly effective for studying social processes. Other approaches, such as phenomenology, focus more specifically on individual experiences and perceptions rather than the broader relationship between beliefs and actions. Ethnographic research explores cultural practices and social interactions, and while it may touch on beliefs, it is more focused on observational data within a cultural context. Historical research looks at past events and does not directly examine the relationship between current beliefs and actions. Thus, grounded theory is uniquely positioned to examine the dynamic interplay between beliefs and behaviors.