Harnessing the power of theorising in implementation science

Roman Kislov; Catherine Pope; Graham P. Martin; Paul M. Wilson

doi:10.1186/s13012-019-0957-4

Harnessing the power of theorising in implementation science

Roman Kislov, Catherine Pope, Graham P. Martin, Paul M. Wilson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Theories occupy different positions in the scientific circle of enquiry as they vary in scope, abstraction, and complexity. Mid-range theories play a crucial bridging role between raw empirical observations and all-encompassing grand-theoretical schemes. A shift of perspective from ‘theories’ as products to ‘theorising’ as a process can enable empirical researchers to capitalise on the two-way relationships between empirical data and different levels of theory and contribute to the advancement of knowledge. This can be facilitated by embracing theoretically informative (in addition to merely theoretically informed) research, developing mechanism-based explanations, and broadening the repertoire of grand-theoretical orientations.

Original language	English
Journal	Implementation Science
Volume	14
Issue number	103
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-019-0957-4
Publication status	Published - 11 Dec 2019

Keywords

Theorising
Mid-range theory
Programme theory
Grand theory
Implementation science
Research agenda
Theoretically informative research
Mechanism-based explanation
Interdisciplinarity
Circle of enquiry

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https://implementationscience.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13012-019-0957-4

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title = "Harnessing the power of theorising in implementation science",

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AU - Wilson, Paul M.

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KW - Programme theory

KW - Grand theory

KW - Implementation science

KW - Research agenda

KW - Theoretically informative research

KW - Mechanism-based explanation

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KW - Circle of enquiry

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VL - 14

JO - Implementation Science

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Harnessing the power of theorising in implementation science

Abstract

Keywords

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