Postmodern and Poststructural Approaches to Nursing Research

The pluralistic perspectives offered by postmodern and postcultural approaches to health care offer new insights on the patient experience and on patient care. Julianne Cheek′s Postmodern and Poststructural Approaches to Nursing and Health Care Research makes these valuable tools available to researchers and health care scientists through carefully exploring what these terms mean and their use in the clinical research setting. In the first three chapters, the author examines definitions of postmodern and postcultural approaches and ways in which they can be used to influence and inform us about health care. Chapters 4 and 5 look at the practical aspects of proposing and carrying out research projects using these approaches. Julianne Cheek concludes by reviewing the "intellectual journey" required in coming to grips with the meaning and application of these approaches and suggests ways in which the reader can continue to grow in understanding them.