Interpretive Description

Sally Thorne, is a Professor at the School of Nursing and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science at the University of British Columbia. The research emphasis of her career has been toward exploring how structural and attitudinal aspects of contemporary health care systems shape the illness experience of persons affected by cancer or chronic disease. Dr. Thorne has made a major contribution to qualitative research by developing interpretive description as a methodological option for those whose research reflects the aspirations of applied disciplines, including the health and social service professions. She is a widely published scholar and author, edits the renowned journal Nursing Inquiry on the ideas affecting nursing and health care, and is a committed educator and mentor. By virtue of her expertise on the nature of knowledge for applied practice, she is internationally sought after as a qualitative methodological consultant.

• PrefacePART ONE: INTERPRETIVE DESCRIPTION IN THEORY One: Introduction: Qualitative Research in the Applied Disciplines // Two: Cultivating Questions in the Clinical Field // Three: Scaffolding a Study // Four: Framing a Study Design // Five: Strategizing a Credible StudyPART TWO: INTERPRETIVE DESCRIPTION IN PROCESS Six: Entering the Field // Seven: Constructing Data // Eight: Making Sense of Data // Nine: Conceptualizing Findings // Ten: Writing FindingsPART THREE: INTERPRETIVE DESCRIPTION IN CONTEXT Eleven: Making Sense of Findings // Twelve: Disseminating Knowledge // Thirteen: Enhancing Credibility // Fourteen: Advancing Evidence with Interpretive DescriptionReferencesAbout the Author