untitled

tive Measurement Instrument developed by

Carboni (1992), which is a creative qualitative

measure designed to capture the changing con-

figurations of energy field pattern of the healing

human/environmental field relationship.

MEASURES SPECIFIC TO SCIENCE
OF UNITARY HUMAN BEINGS

Although the quantitative measures provide a rich
source for future research, Rogerian researchers are
encouraged to use methods developed specific to
the Science of Unitary Human Beings. Three meth-
ods have been developed: Rogerian Process of
Inquiry, the Unitary Field Pattern Portrait Research
Method, and Unitary Case Inquiry. Each method
was derived from Rogers’ unitary ontology and par-
ticipatory epistemology and is congruent with the
criteria for Rogerian inquiry presented earlier in
this chapter.

Rogerian Process of Inquiry

Carboni (1995b) developed the Rogerian Process of
Inquiry from her characteristics of Rogerian in-
quiry. The method’s purpose is to investigate the
dynamic enfolding-unfolding of the human
field–environmental field energy patterns and the
evolutionary change of configurations in field pat-
terning of the nurse and participant. Rogerian
Process of Inquiry transcends both matter-centered
methodologies espoused by empiricists and
thought-bound methodologies espoused by phe-
nomenologists and critical theorists (Carboni,
1995b). Rather, this process of inquiry is evolution-
centered and focuses on changing configurations of
human and environmental field patterning.
The flow of the inquiry starts with a summation
of the researcher’s purpose, aims, and visionary in-
sights. Visionary insights emerge from the study’s
purpose and researcher’s understanding of
Rogerian science. Next, the researcher focuses on
becoming familiar with the participants and the
setting of the inquiry. Shared descriptions of energy
field perspectives are identified through observa-
tions and discussions with participants and
processed through mutual exploration and discov-
ery. The researcher uses the Mutual Exploration of
the Healing Human Field–Environmental Field
Relationship Creative Measurement Instrument
(Carboni, 1992) as a way to identify, understand,
and creatively measure human and environmental

energy field patterns. Together, the researcher and

the participants develop a shared understanding

and awareness of the human/environmental field

patterns manifested in diverse multiple configura-

tions of patterning. All the data are synthesized

using inductive and deductive data synthesis.

Through the mutual sharing and synthesis of data,

unitary constructs are identified. The constructs are

interpreted within the perspective of unitary sci-

ence, and a new unitary theory may emerge from

the synthesis of unitary constructs. Carboni

(1995b) also developed special criteria of trustwor-

thiness to ensure the scientific rigor of the findings

conveyed in the form of a Pandimensional Unitary

Process Report. Carboni’s research method affords

a way of creatively measuring manifestations of

field patterning emerging during coparticipation of

the researcher and participant’s process of change.

The Unitary Field Pattern

Portrait Research Method

The Unitary Field Pattern Portrait (UFPP) research

method (Butcher, 1994, 1996, 1998) was developed

at the same time Carboni was developing the

Unitary Process of Inquiry and was derived directly

from the criteria of Rogerian inquiry. The purpose

of the UFPP research method is to create a unitary

understanding of the dynamic kaleidoscopic and

symphonic pattern manifestations emerging from

the pandimensional human/environmental field

mutual process as a means to enhance the under-

standing of a significant phenomenon associated

with human betterment and well-being. There are

eight essential aspects in the method, as described

here. The UFPP (see Figure 13–1) also includes

three essential processes. Each aspect is described

here in relation to the essential processses.

1.Initial engagementis a passionate search for a re-

search question of central interest to under-

standing unitary phenomena associated with

human betterment and well-being.

2.A priori nursing scienceidentifies the Science of

Unitary Human Beings as the researcher’s per-

spective. It guides all processes of the research

method, including the interpretation of findings.

3.Immersioninvolves becoming steeped in the re-

search topic. The researcher may immerse him-

self or herself in any activity that enhances the

integrality of the researcher and the research

topic.

180 SECTION III Nursing Theory in Nursing Practice, Education, Research, and Administration