Pragmatic is a term that’s used in daily conversation to refer to actions and attitudes that are practical, reasonable, or feasible. People who are pragmatic tend to assess situations objectively and focus on finding solutions that are realistically achievable. This approach leads to efficiency and success in problem-solving and decision-making. Being pragmatic also helps individuals establish goals that are based on their current resources and capabilities, which prevents them from setting themselves up for failure or disappointment.
The philosophic movement that focuses on pragmatism was developed in the 1800s by philosophers like William James and Josiah Royce. This philosophy emphasizes that reality is experienced directly through the senses, and that knowledge should be based on real-life experience. It also teaches that truth is what works, and that if something proves useful, it must be true. Pragmatism is sometimes referred to as American pragmatism, since many of its proponents were from the United States.
Often, a person will be described as pragmatic when they take into account the consequences of their decisions for all parties involved. For example, if you kill your creditor and avoid paying off your debt, it may seem pragmatic from your point of view, but it’s not when you consider the impact on your community or family members. Another common pragmatic phrase is “you can’t please everyone,” which means that it’s unrealistic to try to please every single person you interact with.
In research, pragmatism is a flexible method that allows researchers to use the most appropriate research methods to answer their questions. This can include combining aspects of interpretivism and pragmatism, or it can be more focused on ensuring that the results of the study are meaningful for those who will use them to improve services.
A pragmatic randomized controlled trial is one example of a pragmatist approach. These trials aim to find out if an experimental treatment is effective and safe, but they do so in a way that takes into consideration the context of healthcare service delivery. This is an important aspect of pragmatism, as it ensures that the results of the study can be applied in real-life scenarios.
These types of studies are often more difficult to conduct than explanatory or predictive trials. They need to be carried out in a clinical setting, which limits the number of volunteers. They also need to be conducted with participants who are likely to receive the intervention if it becomes standard care, which can further reduce the pool of volunteers. As a result, pragmatic trials are less common than explanatory and predictive trials. Nevertheless, they can offer valuable insight into the effectiveness and safety of new treatments. They can also be more cost-effective than other types of studies.