Normalization Process Theory
Encyclopedia
Normalization process theory is a sociological theory
of the implementation, embedding, and integration of new technologies and organizational innovations developed by Carl R. May
, Tracey Finch, and others. The theory is a contribution to the field of science and technology studies
(STS), and is the result of a programme of theory building by May and his co-researchers, recently including Glyn Elwyn
and Victor Montori
http://www.implementationscience.com/content/4/1/29. The theory radically extended the Normalization Process Model
previously developed by May et al. to explain the social processes that lead to the routine embedding of innovative health technologies.
May et al. have shown that normalization process theory pays attention on the ways that a material practice – which may be a new technique, technology, or pattern of organization – becomes routinely embedded in a social context as the result of individual and collective agency. This agency is operationalized through generative social mechanisms that are expressed through sense-making (coherence) work, engagement work (cognitive participation), the work of enacting a practice (collective action), and the work of understanding and appraising its effects. The theory is thus organized around understanding (and even measuring) social phenomena defined by four basic mechanisms.
Normalization Process Theory is a true middle range theory
that is located within the 'turn to materiality' in STS. It therefore fits well with the case-study oriented approach to empirical investigation used in STS. It also appears to be a straightforward alternative to actor–network theory that it does not insist on the agency of non-human actors, and seeks to be explanatory rather than descriptive. However, because Normalization Process Theory specifies a set of generative mechanisms that empirical investigation has shown to be relevant to implementation and integration of new technologies, it can also be used in larger scale structured and comparative studies. Although it fits well with the interpretive approach of ethnography
and other qualitative research methods, it also lends itself to systematic review
and survey
research methods. As a middle range theory, it can be federated with other theories to explain empirical phenomena. It is compatible with theories of the transmission and organization of innovations, especially diffusion of innovations
theory, labor process theory
, and psychological theories including the theory of planned behavior
and social learning theory
.
Sociological theory
In sociology, sociological perspectives, theories, or paradigms are complex theoretical and methodological frameworks used to analyze and explain objects of social study. They facilitate organizing sociological knowledge...
of the implementation, embedding, and integration of new technologies and organizational innovations developed by Carl R. May
Carl R. May
Carl May in Farnham, Surrey is a British sociologist. He researches in the fields of medical sociology and Science and technology studies . Formerly based at Newcastle University, he is now Professor of Healthcare Innovation at the University of Southampton. Carl May was elected an Academician of...
, Tracey Finch, and others. The theory is a contribution to the field of science and technology studies
Science and technology studies
Science, technology and society is the study of how social, political, and cultural values affect scientific research and technological innovation, and how these, in turn, affect society, politics and culture...
(STS), and is the result of a programme of theory building by May and his co-researchers, recently including Glyn Elwyn
Glyn Elwyn
Glyn Elwyn is Professor of Primary Care at Cardiff University where he leads the [Decision Laboratory], developing and evaluating decision support interventions such as Prosdex , Amniodex and Bresdex , tools that help clinicians achieve shared decision making.He first completed an arts degree in ...
and Victor Montori
Victor Montori
Victor M. Montori, , is Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Montori was born and raised in Peru. He completed medical school at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Peru, before joining the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the Mayo Clinic, where he was...
http://www.implementationscience.com/content/4/1/29. The theory radically extended the Normalization Process Model
Normalization process model
The Normalization Process Model is a theory that explains how new technologies are embedded in health care work . The model was developed by Carl R May and co-workers , and is an empirically derived grounded theory in medical sociology and Science and Technology Studies , based on qualitative methods...
previously developed by May et al. to explain the social processes that lead to the routine embedding of innovative health technologies.
May et al. have shown that normalization process theory pays attention on the ways that a material practice – which may be a new technique, technology, or pattern of organization – becomes routinely embedded in a social context as the result of individual and collective agency. This agency is operationalized through generative social mechanisms that are expressed through sense-making (coherence) work, engagement work (cognitive participation), the work of enacting a practice (collective action), and the work of understanding and appraising its effects. The theory is thus organized around understanding (and even measuring) social phenomena defined by four basic mechanisms.
- Coherence (or sense-making): expressed agency that defines and organizes the components of an implementation process.
- Cognitive participation: expressed agency that defines and organizes the actors involved in an implementation process.
- Collective action: expressed agency that defines and organizes the enacting of an implementation process.
- Reflexive monitoring: expressed agency that defines and organizes assessment of the outcomes of an implementation process.
Normalization Process Theory is a true middle range theory
Middle range theory
Middle range theory can refer to theories in:* Middle-range theory - describes how people use objects and structures and the human behaviors associated with this use; it is based on the more known...
that is located within the 'turn to materiality' in STS. It therefore fits well with the case-study oriented approach to empirical investigation used in STS. It also appears to be a straightforward alternative to actor–network theory that it does not insist on the agency of non-human actors, and seeks to be explanatory rather than descriptive. However, because Normalization Process Theory specifies a set of generative mechanisms that empirical investigation has shown to be relevant to implementation and integration of new technologies, it can also be used in larger scale structured and comparative studies. Although it fits well with the interpretive approach of ethnography
Ethnography
Ethnography is a qualitative method aimed to learn and understand cultural phenomena which reflect the knowledge and system of meanings guiding the life of a cultural group...
and other qualitative research methods, it also lends itself to systematic review
Systematic review
A systematic review is a literature review focused on a research question that tries to identify, appraise, select and synthesize all high quality research evidence relevant to that question. Systematic reviews of high-quality randomized controlled trials are crucial to evidence-based medicine...
and survey
Statistical survey
Survey methodology is the field that studies surveys, that is, the sample of individuals from a population with a view towards making statistical inferences about the population using the sample. Polls about public opinion, such as political beliefs, are reported in the news media in democracies....
research methods. As a middle range theory, it can be federated with other theories to explain empirical phenomena. It is compatible with theories of the transmission and organization of innovations, especially diffusion of innovations
Diffusion of innovations
Diffusion of Innovations is a theory that seeks to explain how, why, and at what rate new ideas and technology spread through cultures. Everett Rogers, a professor of rural sociology, popularized the theory in his 1962 book Diffusion of Innovations...
theory, labor process theory
Labor process theory
Labor Process Theory is a late Marxist theory of the organization of work under capitalism. It critiques scientific management as authored by Frederick W Taylor in the early 1900s, and uses central concepts developed by Harry Braverman in the 1970s. Recent attempts have been made to use labor...
, and psychological theories including the theory of planned behavior
Theory of planned behavior
In psychology, the theory of planned behavior is a theory about the link between attitudes and behavior. It was proposed by Icek Ajzen as an extension of the theory of reasoned action. It is one of the most predictive persuasion theories...
and social learning theory
Social learning theory
-Theory:Social learning theory is derived from the work of Albert Bandura which proposed that social learning occurred through four main stages of imitation:* close contact* imitation of superiors* understanding of concepts* role model behavior...
.