Theory, Research and EBP

NURS 300

Knowledge types

empirical, ethical, personal

Empirical knowledge

gained through observation, experience, or experimentation

Ethical knowledge

understanding and applying moral principles to guide decisions

Personal knowledge

information gained through one’s own sense and experiences

Evidence based practice

problem solving approach that uses best available research, clinical expertise, and patient values when making decisions about care

Rationale of EBP

minimize guessing, reduce errors, ensure decisions are grounded in scientific research rather than personal/traditional opinions

Implementation of EBP

providing quality care based on the most up to date research and knowledge rather than traditional methods or personal beliefs

Quantitative research

precisely measure and quantify a study’s variables

Qualitative research

studies that focus on phenomena that are hard to quantify or categorize (ex. pt’s perception of illness or quality of life)

Descriptive theories

first level of development, describe phenomena and identify the circumstances in which they occur

Prescriptive theories

addresses nursing interventions, guide practice change, and predict consequences

Practice theories

situation-specific theories, guide nursing care of a specific patient population at a specific time.

Middle-range theories

more limited scope, less abstract. Address a specific phenomenon and reflect practice (admin, clinical, or teaching)

Grand theories

abstract, broad in scope, and complex. Provides structural framework for general, global ideas about nursing

Shared theory

borrowed or interdisciplinary theory, explains phenomenon specific to the discipline that developed it

Nightingale’s environmental theory

environment as the focus of nursing care

grand theory

Peplau’s interpersonal theory

focuses on interpersonal relations between nurse, pt, and pt’s family

phases: preorientation, orientation, working, resolution

Middle-range theory

Orem’s self-care deficit nursing theory

focuses on pt’s self-care needs

asses for how much self-care a pt is able to perform

Grand theory

Leininger’s culture care theory

theory of cultural care diversity and universality

integrates pt’s culture traditions, values, and beliefs into care plans

middle-range theory