untitled

participant and is then shared with the par-

ticipant for verification and revision.

b.Mutual processinginvolves constructing the

mutual unitary field pattern profile by mutu-

ally sharing an emerging joint or shared pro-

file with each successive participant at the end

of each participant’s pattern manifestation

knowing and appreciation process. For exam-

ple, at the end of the fourth participant’s

interview, a joint construction of the phe-

nomenon is shared with the participant for

comment. The joint construction (mutual

unitary field pattern profile) at this phase

would consist of a synthesis of the profiles of

the first three participants. After verification

of the fourth participant’s pattern profile, the

profile is folded into the emerging mutual

unitary field pattern profile. Pattern manifes-

tation knowing and appreciation continues

until there are no new pattern manifestations

to add to the mutual unitary field pattern

profile. If it is not possible to either share the

pattern profile with each participant or create

a mutually constructed unitary field pattern

profile,the research may choose to bypass the

mutual processing phase.

c. The unitary field pattern portraitis created by

identifying emerging unitary themes from

each participant’s field pattern profile, sorting

the unitary themes into common categories

and creating the resonating unitary themes of

human/environmental pattern manifestations

through immersion and crystallization,which

involves synthesizing the resonating themes

into a descriptive portrait of the phenome-

non. The unitary field pattern portrait is

expressed in the form of a vivid, rich, thick,

and accurate aesthetic rendition of the univer-

sal patterns, qualities, features, and themes

exemplifying the essence of the dynamic kalei-

doscopic and symphonic nature of the phe-

nomenon of concern.

d. The unitary field pattern portrait is inter-

preted from the perspective of the Science of

Unitary Human Beings using the process of

evolutionary interpretationto create a theoret-

ical unitary field pattern portraitof the phe-

nomenon. The purpose of theoretical unitary

field pattern portrait is to explicate the theo-

retical structure of the phenomenon from the

perspective of Rogers’ nursing science. The

theoretical unitary field pattern portrait is ex-

pressed in the language of Rogerian science,

thereby lifting the unitary field pattern por-

trait from the level of description to the level

of unitary science. Scientific rigor is main-

tained throughout processes by using the cri-

teria of trustworthiness and authenticity. The

findings of the study are conveyed in a

Unitary Field Pattern Report.

Unitary Appreciative Inquiry

Cowling (2001) recently explicated the processes

of Unitary Appreciative Inquiry as a method

grounded in Rogerian science for “uncovering the

wholeness and essence of human existence to in-

form the development of nursing science and guide

the practice of nursing” (p. 32). Cowling’s method

may be used with individuals, groups, or commu-

nities and includes appreciative knowing, partici-

patory, synoptic, and transformative processes.

Human life is viewed as a miracle of a variety of or-

dinary and extraordinary forces characterized by

unknowable mystery. The researcher and partici-

pant are equals in a participatory mutual process

where outcomes are not imposed and change un-

folds acausally and unpredictably. The inquirer ex-

amines all pattern information synoptically by

viewing all experiences, perceptions, and expres-

sions as interrelated in a way that reflects the inher-

ent wholeness of a phenomenon or situation. The

elements of the approach in unitary appreciative

inquiry (Cowling, 2001) include:

1. The scientist/practitioner seeks out to explore a
   life situation, phenomenon, or concern from a
   unitary perspective.


2. Describe the endeavor with the aim of appreciat-
   ing the wholeness, uniqueness, and essence
   of the particular situation, phenomenon, or
   concern.


3. Gain human subject’s approval and informed
   consent.


4. Approach participants as partners in a coequal
   participative appreciative endeavor.


5. Information is collected in the form of dialogue,
   discussion, interview, observation, or any prac-
   tice that illuminates the underlying human life
   pattern.


6. Documentation of the experience, perceptions,
   and expressions can be accomplished through
   journaling, audiotaping, videotaping, photo

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