What Constitutes Knowledge?

To understand what research involves, it is important to first consider how knowledge is created and what we mean when we talk about “knowing.” Research is fundamentally the process of generating new knowledge, and our understanding of the world is shaped by our worldview—our values, beliefs, assumptions, and expectations. This worldview influences how we interpret information, make decisions, and interact with others. Knowledge can be acquired in several ways, including intuition, authority, logical reasoning, and the scientific method.

Intuition

Intuition refers to knowing something immediately based on feelings rather than facts. It is often described as instinctive understanding that occurs without conscious reasoning. Intuition may produce a strong impression that something “feels right,” but because it cannot be objectively evaluated, it is difficult to determine whether the knowledge it provides is accurate. In research, intuition may help generate early ideas or hypotheses, especially when little information exists on a topic. However, these ideas must be tested through systematic inquiry before they can be accepted in nursing or healthcare practice.

Authority

Another common way people acquire knowledge is through authority figures. This may include parents, educators, religious leaders, healthcare providers, government bodies, or even social media influencers. Information from authority figures is often accepted as true because of the trust or expertise associated with the source. While authority can serve as a useful starting point for learning, it is not always reliable. History offers many examples in which unquestioned obedience to authority resulted in harmful outcomes. Therefore, while ideas from authoritative sources may inspire research questions, they must still undergo rigorous scientific evaluation rather than being accepted at face value.

Logical Reasoning

Logical reasoning, or rationalism, involves generating knowledge through structured thinking and logical processes. It assumes that reason is a primary source of understanding and that individuals can use logic to uncover truths. However, conclusions based on reasoning are only sound if the original assumptions are correct. If even one premise is flawed, the conclusion may be incorrect. For example, assuming that a student who misses several classes is unmotivated may be inaccurate if the student was unwell or had unavoidable commitments. Logical reasoning can help in developing hypotheses, but these hypotheses must still be tested empirically.

The Scientific Method

The scientific method is an empirical, systematic approach for investigating questions and testing hypotheses. It involves observing a phenomenon, asking questions, collecting data, analyzing results, and drawing conclusions under controlled and transparent conditions. Unlike intuition, authority, or reasoning alone, the scientific method provides a structured way to evaluate whether an idea is supported by evidence. Researchers may use intuition or reasoning to generate ideas, but they rely on the scientific method to test those ideas and produce reliable, unbiased knowledge. Through systematic observation and analysis, empirical findings become accepted knowledge.

How the Scientific Method Contributes to Evidence

Although everyday tasks may involve informal problem-solving, scientific research requires a systematic, controlled, and critical approach. In healthcare, research is a structured process of inquiry used to understand phenomena, answer clinical questions, and develop or refine theories. It aims to be objective, consistent, and free from bias. Scientific research contributes to evidence-based practice by expanding existing knowledge, offering new insights, describing important patterns, and identifying causal relationships between factors. This evidence supports safe, effective decision-making and advances nursing practice.

Remixed from:

• An Introduction to Research Methods for Undergraduate Health Profession Students by Bunmi Malau-Aduli and Faith Alele (2023), published under a CC BY NC 4.0 license.
  • Chapter 1.2: Ways of Creating Knowledge

Media Attribution

• Researchers develop questions to explore, describe, and explain health phenomena (Figure 4.3) is by Ime Stavinga/TRU Open Press and is subject to the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.

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