Five ways of being "theoretical": applications to provider-patient communication research.

OBJECTIVE

Analyzes the term "theoretical" as it applies to the area of provider-patient communication research, in order to understand better at a conceptual level what the term may mean for authors and critics.

METHODS

Based on literature on provider-patient communication.

RESULTS

Offers, and discusses, five definitions of the term "theoretical" as it applies to empirical research and its exposition: (1) grounding, (2) referencing, (3) design and analysis, (4) interpretation, and (5) impact. Each of these definitions embodies a different standard for evaluating the theoretical aspects of research.

CONCLUSION

Although it is often said that research on provider-patient communication is not "theoretical" enough, the term is ambiguous and often applied vaguely. A multidimensional analysis reveals that there are several distinct ways in which empirical research can be strong or weak theoretically.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Researchers, educators, editors, and reviewers could use the "Five Ways" framework to appraise the theory-relevant strengths and weaknesses of empirical research and its exposition.