Theory Flashcards
Quantitative Research
Aim to describe, compare, and predict in order to understand or control phenomena
types of quantitative research (4)
◦Experimental-Determines the effectiveness of interventions; predictions and controls outcomes
◦Quasi-experimental-aims to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between an independent and dependent variable
◦Descriptive-Explores new areas of research
◦Correlational-Examines and explains relationships
Qualitative Method
◦Discovery of meaning rather than cause and effect.
◦Desire to understand a human or social problem.
◦Conducted in a natural setting, sampling is often purposive
◦Reality is defined by the subject / informant. ◦Researcher interacts with those being studied, the distance between researcher and subject is minimized
◦Result of research may raise more questions than answers.
◦Emphasis is on achieving an understanding
Quantitative method
Aim is to answer by either either proving or disproving a hypothesis using numeric measurement and observation
◦Directed at the discovery of relationships and cause and effect.
◦Formal, rigorous, systematic, objective process to obtain information and control for error
◦Focus is on testing theory
◦Variables are well defined and measured with numbers
◦Variables are more likely to be “dependent” or “independent”
◦Researchers attempt to control for error and bias, they select a systematic sample, and attempt to objectively assess a situation.
◦Theories and hypotheses are tested in cause-effect order.
Types of qualitative research (5)
Phenomenological- describes the “lived experience”
Grounded theory-Formulates, tests, and refines theories
Ethnographic- depth immersion in a specified culture
Exploratory descriptive qualitative- Describing an issue or problem that will need further development of interventions or programs.
Historical- Examines events of the past; uses primary and secondary sources
Concepts are
◦labels that we assign to objects or events to aid in communication about important phenomena
◦building blocks of theories
◦Theory development guides nursing practice, nursing research, nursing administration & management, and nursing education.
What is nursing theory
◦term given to the body of knowledge that is used to support nursing practice.
◦a framework designed to organize knowledge and explain phenomena in nursing, at a more concrete and specific level.
◦a set of concepts, definitions, relationships, and assumptions or propositions derived from nursing models or from other disciplines and project a purposive, systematic view of phenomena by designing specific inter-relationships among concepts for the purposes of describing, explaining, predicting, and /or prescribing
What is a nursing philosophy
◦Statement of foundational and universal assumptions, beliefs, and principles about the nature of knowledge and thought (epistemology) and the nature of entities represented in the metaparadigm (i.e., nursing practice and human health [ontology])
◦Provides perspectives for practice, scholarship, and research
Nursing models:
are conceptual models, constructed from theories and concepts
Conceptual model
◦Made up of concepts and propositions
◦They represent ways of thinking about a problem or ways of representing how complex things work the way that they do.
◦Models may draw on a number of theories to help understand a particular problem in a certain setting or context.
◦Models are not always as specific as a theory.
Define construct
A phenomena that cannot be observed and must be inferred. Constructs are concepts developed or adopted for use in a particular theory. The key concepts of a given theory are its constructs.
**the KEY concepts used in theory are the constructs
Define proposition
statement of relationship between concepts
Define variables
◦Variables are the operational forms of constructs. They define the way a construct is to be measured in a specific situation.
◦Match variables to constructs when identifying what needs to be assessed during evaluation of a theory-driven program.
Define Middle range theory
a testable theory that contains a limited number of variables, and is limited in scope as well, yet is of sufficient generality to be useful with a variety of clinical research questions.
Define paradigm
Model that explains the linkages of science, philosophy, and theory accepted and applied
Organized perception
Organizing framework that contains concepts, theories, assumptions , values , beliefs and principles that helps discipline to interpret subject matter
Define conceptual/theoretical framework
- based on phenomenon of interest
- narrative description of a concept/theory
- concept is abstract and building block for a theory
- set of interrelated concepts that symbolically represents and conveys a mental image of a phenomenon
ex: spirituality-it is a synthesis of personal, self-expressed beliefs and activities of essence of being that balances and connects other dimensions and domains of human traits and health
Define operational
- it is a measurement
ex: spirituality-using functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-spirituality, participants were asked to rate feelings and thoughts about spirituality experienced within last seven days.
Define theoretical
Use your previous definition/ from author [developer] unless changed.
Epistemology
The study of the theory of knowledge
What do we know?
what is the extent of our knowledge?
Nursing epistemology are ways of knowing in nursing. It focuses on four fundamental ways of knowledge; empirical knowledge, esthetic knowledge, personal knowledge, and ethical knowledge
What kind of science is nursing
applied
-draws from/synthesized from pure, natural and human sciences, including physiology, human health and biology.
nursing science focuses on what 4 domains
person, environment, health, and nursing
What is the aim of nursing science?
Nursing science is aimed to understand and explain human responses and develop knowledge that continues to improve the science.
What doe the IOM report (2010) state?
it is imperative for nursing to lead in the healthcare industry, be attentive to primary care and prevention, inter-professional collaboration/coordination
Define Person
refers to a being composed of physical, intellectual, biochemical, spiritual and psychosocial needs; a holistic , integrated being in the world; and a human being who is greater than the sum of his parts.
Define environment
typically refers to the external elements that affect the person; internal and external conditions that influence the person, significant others with whom the person interacts; and an open system with boundaries that permit the exchange of matter, energy, and information with human beings.
Define health
is the ability to function independently; successful adaptation to life’s stressors; achievement of one’s full life potential; and unity of mind, body, and soul.
Ontology
study of what already exist and the nature of reality
What stage of nursing are we currently in?
Integrated knowledge
Middle range theory
a testable theory that contains a limited number of variables, and is limited in scope as well, yet is of sufficient generality to be useful with a variety of clinical research questions.
Paradigm
Model that explains the linkages of science, philosophy, and theory accepted and applied
-worldview of looking at a discipline and its science that contains concepts, theories, assumptions, beliefs, values, and principles that form the way at discipline interprets the subject matter with which it is concerned
Metaparadigm
◦Metaparadigm—the most global perspective of a discipline
◦The primary phenomena that are of interest to a discipline
◦Explains how the discipline deals with phenomena in a unique manner
-nursing metapardigm is person, environment, health, and nursing
Assumptions
beliefs about a phenomenon that are accepted as true
Concept
abstract elements of a phenomenon that are necessary to understand
Construct
complex concepts; comprises of more than one concept and built or “constructed” to fit a purpose
Hypothesis
A tentative suggestion that a specific relationship exists between two concepts or propositions” is a definition of:
silent knowledge
Education and practice were based on tradition, rules, and principles and focused on technical skills
◦Apprentice form of education
-blind obedience to medical authority
Perceived/received knowledge
Received knowledge; learning through listening to others
Subjective knowledge
authority was internalized and a new sense of self emerged
Procedural knowledge
- includes both separate and connected knowledge
- nursing viewed as an academic discipline
Constructed knowledge
- combination of different types of knowledge (intuition, reason, and self knowledge)
- philosophy of sciences occurs
Integrated knowledge
- assimilation and application of evidence from nursing and other health care disciplines
- Development of continuation of constructed knowledge
What makes up the nursing metapardigm
person
health
environment
nursing
Metatheory
theory about a theory; focuses on broad issues such as the process of generating knowledge and theory development
Characteristics of Grand theories
Most complex and broad theory ◦Nonspecific ◦Composed of relatively abstract concepts and propositions abstract concepts and propositions ◦Are not generally amenable to testing ◦May incorporate other theories
Middle theory
◦More circumscribed than grand theories
◦Contain a limited number of concepts that are operationally defined
◦Focus on a limited aspect of reality
◦Propositions may be tested through research.
◦A description of a particular phenomenon
◦An explanation of the relationship between phenomena
◦Prediction of the effects of one phenomenon or another
Practice theory
◦Called microtheories, prescriptive theories, situation-specific theories
◦Least complex; contain fewest concepts
◦Refer to specific, easily defined phenomena
◦Limited to specific populations or fields of practice
◦Often use knowledge from other disciplines
True or false
concepts can be concrete or abstract
true
discrete or non variable concepts
- qualified as yes or no or categorized into groups
ex: gender, marital status, education level
variable or continuous concepts
allow classification on a continuum
ex: blood pressure, pain, temperature
Explanatory Theories
◦Relate concepts or propositions to one another
◦Attempt to explain how or why concepts are related
◦Focus on correlations or rules that regulate interactions
◦Developed through correlational research
Descriptive Theories
◦Describe, observe, and name concepts
◦Do not explain how or why concepts are related
◦Provide observation and meaning regarding phenomena
◦Generated and tested through descriptive research
PredictiveTheories
◦Explicate conditions under which concepts are related and relational statements are able to describe future outcomes consistently
◦Experimental research is used to generate and test them.
Prescriptive Theories
◦Prescribe activities necessary to reach defined goals
◦Address actions and predict consequences of interventions
◦Describe the prescription (action or intervention), consequence, type of client, and condition
4 types of theories classified by purpose
- explanatory (factor relating)
- descriptive (factor-isolating)
- predictive (situation relating)
- prescriptive (situation producing)
Walker and Avant Process for Concept Development
Three processes
◦Concept analysis—used when concepts require basic definition and clarification for research or scholarship
◦Concept synthesis—used when concepts require observation or other forms of research for development
◦Concept derivation—used when there are few concepts available to explain a nursing problem; examination of non-nursing phenomena
Walker and Avant process for concept analysis
- Select a concept.
- Determine the purpose of the analysis.
- Identify uses of the concept.
- Determine defining attributes.
- Construct a model case.
- Construct borderline, related, contrary, invented, and illegitimate cases.
- Identify antecedents and consequences.
- Define empirical referents.
Goals of nursing
Care of the well
Care of the sick
Assisting with self-care
Helping individuals attain their human potential
Nursing is a
◦science, art, and practice discipline.
Concept analysis, concept development, and concept synthesis
bring clarity to the definition of concepts used in a science.
Concept analysis/development is the process
of inquiry that explores the meaning of concepts.
What are antecedents
Incidents/events that must occur prior to the occurrence of the concept
What are consequences
Occur as a result of the occurrence of the concept
In what era of Theory development did nursing scholars first publish theory evaluation methods?
subjective knowledge
In what decade did nursing scholars first publish theory evaluation methods?
1960s
Theory description
initial step; works of the theorist are reviewed to understand the theory’s:
Structural components (assumptions, concepts, propositions)
Functional components (how linkages are made and used to describe, explain, predict, or prescribe)
Theory analysis
second step of evaluation
◦Process of non-judgmentally examining the content, structure, and function of the theory
◦Goal is to understand the theory.
◦Helps determine if the theory has potential for use in practice, research, education, or administration
Theory evaluation
final step of the process
◦Assesses the theory’s potential contribution
◦Determines how well a theory serves its purpose (describe, explain, etc.)
◦Decision or action regarding use of the theory
Parsimony
is theory stated briefly and simply or is it complex/difficult to understand ?
What are assumptions
◦Underlying truth ◦Definitions ◦Purpose ◦Relations ◦Structure
What is utility/usefulness
◦Practical
◦Helpful to nursing/healthcare
◦Contributes to understanding
◦Predictive of outcomes
What are some hallmarks of a profession?
- Defined and specialized knowledge base
- Control and authority over training and education
- Credentialing system or registration to ensure competence
- Altruistic service to society
- Code of ethics
- Formal training within institutions of higher education
- Lengthy socialization to the profession
- Autonomy
What is nursing science?
Is an applied science that looks at system of relationships of human responses that traverse biological, behavioral, social, cultural, and spiritual domains. Draws from synthesized from pure, natural, and human sciences, including physiology, human health, and biology.
Epistemology
studies way of knowing or acquiring knowledge. Draws on traditional ideas that can be verified through observation and proved by hypothesis testing.
Methodology
-means of acquiring knowledge
Empirics
the science of nursing. Engages in seeking and generating explanations that are systematic and controlled by factual evidence.
Esthetics
the art of nursing. Relies on perception. Incorporates empathy and understanding. Creates values and meaning to account for variables that cannot be quantitatively formulated.
Ethics
moral knowledge in nursing. Based on obligation to service and respect for human life. Rational and deliberate examination and evaluation of what is good, valuable, and desirable as goals, motives, or characteristics.
Personal knowledge
incorporates experience, knowing, encountering and actualizing the self within the practice.
Differentiate a career/occupation from a profession
An occupation is a job or career whereas a profession is a learned vocation or occupation that has status of superiority and precedence within a division of work. Occupations require widely varying levels of training or education, varying levels of skill, and widely variable defined knowledge bases. Professions are occupations, but not all occupations are professions.
What is the basis/classification of nursing science?
The substantive, discipline specific knowledge that focuses on the human universe health process articulated in the nursing frameworks and theories. Nursing science recognizes the relationships of human responses in health and illness and address biologic, behavioral, social, and cultural domains. The goal of nursing science is to represent the nature of nursing to understand it, to explain it, and to use it for the benefit of humankind. Gives direction to the future generation of substantive nursing knowledge and it is nursing science that provides the knowledge for all aspects of nursing.
Why is nursing considered a human science?
Because the discipline has examined issues related to behavior and culture, as well biology and physiology, and sought to recognize associations among factors that suggest explanatory variables for human health and illness. Human science created knew knowledge to provide understanding and interpretation of phenomena.
What are the stages of development of nursing theory and philosophy?
Silent knowledge Received knowledge Subjective knowledge Procedural knowledge Constructed knowledge Integrated knowledge
How can concepts be measured
Concepts can be concrete or abstract, variable (concrete) or non variable (discrete), and operationally or theoretically.
Concrete have simple, directly observable empirical referents that can be seen, felt, or heard (chair, the color red, jazz music). Abstract concepts are not clearly observable directly or indirectly (art, social support, personality, role).
Variable
describe some dimensions of the phenomena. Permit classification of dimension or graduation of phenomena on a continuum, (BP, pain, quality of life, health promoting behaviors, and cultural identity)
Non variable are discrete concept
identifies categories or classes of characteristics (gender, ethnic background, religion). Can be answered yes or no.
theoretical definition
gives meaning to a term in context of a theory and permits any reader to assess the validity of the definition.
Operational definition
tells how the concept is linked to concrete situations and describes a set of procedures that will be performed to assessing a value for the concept. It permits the concept to be measured and allow hypotheses to be tested. Form the bridge between the theory and the empirical world.
Describe the relationship[s] among theory, research, and practice
In applied nursing practice it is based on the theories that are validated through research. Research validated and modifies theory. Theory guides practice. Research is key to the development of a discipline
What are the 4 type of theories
Descriptive theory
Explanatory theory
Predictive theory
Prescriptive theory
Grand Theories
most complex and broadest in scope; attempt to explain broad areas within a discipline and may incorporate numerous other theories
-nonspecific and composed of abstract concepts that lack operation definitions
Middle Range theories
- lie between grand nursing models and more circumscribed concrete ideas
- composed of relatively concrete propositions that my be operationally defined and relatively concrete propositions that may be empirically tested
- may be a 1)description of a particular phenomenon 2) an explanation of the relationship between phenomena or 3) prediction of the effects of one phenomenon or another
Practice theories
-more specific than middle range theories; contain fewest concepts and refer to specific defined phenomena
4 types of theories based on abstraction
- metatheory (most complex/abstract)
- grand
- middle
- situation specific (aka practice theories)
Steps for process of theory developmnet
- concept development
- statement development
- theory construction
- testing theoretical relationships
- application of theory in practice
Criteria suggested for theory evaluation
- meaning
- operational and empirical adequacy
- testability
- generality
- contribution to understanding
- predictability
- pragmatic adequacy
Purpose of theory evaluation
to determine how well the theory guides practice, research, education, or administration
