Unit 4: Theory Development Process

concepts

building blocks of theories

theoretical definition of concepts

establish and clarifies the meaning of a concept, what will be measured

operational definition of a concept

provides measurements of a concept, how the concept will be measured

relational statements (theoretical statements)

relate concepts to one another, permits analysis

relational statements (operational statements)

relate concepts to measurements

relationship/propositional statements

describe how 2+ concepts are related

moves a set of concepts into a theory by explaining patters and conditions of influence

associative relationship/propositional statements

x is related to y

causal relationship/propositional statements

x influences/causes y

conditional relationship/propositional statements

x influences y when z is present

linkages

how concepts and propositions are connected into a coherent structure

linkages of theoretical statements

provides rationale of why theoretical statements are linked

linkages of operational statements

provides rationale for how measurement variables are linked, allows testability of the assertion

ordering

logical arrangement that shows which concepts are primary and secondary

the direction of influence

scope of theory

range of abstractness

grand/micro/metatheory

provides an overarching worldview and general framework

focuses on broad issues like the processing of generating knowledge and theory development

middle-range theories

substantively specific, more focused and concrete

concrete concepts are operationally defined

guides research and practice in particular areas (more directly testable)

micro-range theories

situation-specific, more focused

directly informs specific clinical protocols or programs

descriptive or factor isolating theory

identify concepts but does nor explain how or why the concepts are related

explanatory or factor-relating theory

explain the relationships among concepts

predictive or situation-relating theory

predict outcomes under certain conditions

prescriptive or situation-producing theory

prescribes activities necessary to reach defined goals

nursing metaparadigms

most abstract and general component of the structural hierarchy of nursing knowledge

purpose of nursing metaparadigms

summarize the intellectual and social missions of the discipline and places boundaries on the subject matter of that discipline

fawcett, 1984 metaparadigm in nursing

serving as organizing framework around which conceptual development proceeded

wagner, 1986 metaparadigm in nursing

a consensus within the discipline of nursing and are the dominant phenomena within the science

person

a being composed of physical, intellectual, biochemical, and psychosocial needs

recipient of nursing care, viewed holistically

health

ability to function independently

successful adaptation to life stressors

environmental

internal and external elements

nursing

a science, art, and a practice discipline that involves caring

goals of nursing

care of the well

care of the sick

assisting with self-care activities

helping individuals attain their human potential

discovering and using nature’s law of health

scope of nursing

promoting health and wellness

preventing illness

restoring health

caring for the dying