SummaryA number of models have been developed to explain nurses' turnover behavior. The common theme that emerges from these models is that turnover behavior is a multistage process that includes attitudinal, decisional, and behavioral components. The purpose of this study was to assess both the direct and indirect impact of certain pay policies upon the turnover intentions of paediatric nurses. The two major questions addressed were: What was the relative impact of job satisfaction, pay satisfaction, and organizational commitment upon the turnover intentions of paediatric nurses eligible for these pay policies? What model accurately portrays the relationship among these three independent variables and turnover intentions? Exploration of the causal pathways among these variables and demographic factors revealed complex models of association. The results suggest that job satisfaction has only an indirect in¯uence on the intention to quit, whereas organizational commitment has the strongest and most direct impact. A further ®nding that pay satisfaction had both direct and indirect eects on turnover intent was consistent with administrators' assumptions underlying the pay policies. Control variables such as having a degree, having children, and working 12-hour shifts were found to have both direct and indirect in¯uences upon pay satisfaction and turnover intent.

Les auteurs ddmontrent que la critique du caract&re artificiel de l'approche expdrimentale en sociologie est fondCe sur une fausse comprkhension des buts de ce type de recherche. A la lumi2re des objectifs de la recherche expikirnentale, l'article examine sous tous ses angles I'objection de Q: l'artificialit6 >. L'avancd fondamental repose sur le fait que le laboratoire est un cadre d'observation parmi plusieurs autres oh la thdorie abstraite peut Stre mise B l'dpreuve empiriquement. Les avantages et ddsavantages que c e cadre comporte sont relids B l'objectif de l'en-quSte. On discute les consdquences qui ddcoulent de cetie prise de position.The criticism that sociological laboratory experiments are artificial, we argue, is based upon a misunderstanding of the purposes of this type of research. This paper is an examination of the "artificiality objection," in terms of the goals of experimental research. The basic point is that the laboratory is one setting among many in which abstract theory may be tested empirically, and that the advantages and disadvantages of the setting are dependent upon the goal of research. Some consequences of this position are discussed.

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