To illuminate the idea of freedom in research, the author considers the nature of being a professional, which includes the dimensions as elaborated by Flexner (1915) and Taylor (1968). The dimension of autonomy, one characteristic of being a professional, is explored by utilizing the work of Hall (1968). Then the idea of situated freedom will be presented as a means to explain the professional autonomy of nurse researchers.
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2.
FlexnerA. (1915/2001). Is social work a profession?Research on Social Work Practice,11(2), 152-165.
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PolifroniE. C. (1999). Free will or determinism, In Carol PloifroniE.WelchM. (Eds.), Perspectives on philosophy of science in nursing (pp. 197-201). Philadelphia: Lippincott.
