Application in the World of Understanding: Researchers’ Experiences of Participation in Reflective Dialogues

The aim of this study was to describe researchers’ experiences of participation in reflective dialogues through a hermeneutic application research approach. The aim was also to describe their perspectives on application, that is, the inner appropriation and application of theory into practice and vice versa. Twenty-one clinical coresearchers and four scientific researchers participated in reflective dialogues in a project on ethical sustainable caring cultures, in which an application research approach was used. The study included questionnaires, a focus group interview, and conversations. The findings show that participation in the reflective dialogues required that the participants are present, open for dialogue, share a common interest in the thematics of the dialogue, and are given space to express themselves. The participants described their experiences of the dual meaning underlying application. Application research strengthened the relationship between research and clinical practice and it contributed to the development of theory.