Definitions

1
Definitions

• Theory, concept, construct, proposition,
  empirical generalization, model, and conceptual
  models

2
Theory Terminology

• Many different definitions
• Understanding vs. memorization
• No absolute or correct definition for terms

3
Theory

• Set of defined concepts and propositions
• Presents a view of a phenomenon
• Helps describe, explain or predict
• Makes scientific findings meaningful and
  generalizable

4
Concept

• The building blocks
• A word picture or mental idea
• It symbolizes some aspect of reality
• Concrete or abstract

5
Construct

• Highly abstract
• Very complex phenomenon
• Cannot be directly observed
• Must be inferred by other phenomenon

6
Proposition

• Is a statement or assertion
• Shows a relationship between concepts
• Statements come from theories
• Generalizations based on empirical data
• There is a relationship between temperature and
  pulse or bacteria cause disease

7
Empirical Generalizations

• When a similar pattern of events is found in the
  empirical data of a number of different studies
• Summarizes results of many empirical studies
• Statements tested repeatedly and not disproved
• Ex studies have shown that women attend church
  more then men ,the empirical generalization
  women are more frequent church attendees than men

8
Hypothesis

• Predicts relationship between variables
• Presents expectations about study outcomes
• Tested in the real world
• Helps support or reject a tested theory

9
Model

• A symbolic representation of phenomena
• Focuses on structure or composition
• Uses a likeness of something
• Presents itself in pictorial, diagrammatic,
  structural way
• Helps describ the theory in a very clear way

10
Conceptual Models 

• Made up of concepts and prepositions
• Show relationship between concepts
• Are very abstract and not easily observable

11
Concepts for Nursing Theories

• Person
• Environment
• Health
• Nursing

12
Nursing Model Examples

• Orems Self-care model concepts
• Self-care
• Self-care agency
• Self-care demand
• Self-care deficit
• Nursing agency
• Nursing system

13
Nursing Model Examples

• Three theories from Orems Model
• Theory of Nursing Systems
• Theory of Self-care Deficit
• Theory of Self-care

14
Rogers Science of Unitary Human Beings

• Humans and environment
• Energy Fields
• Each human field is unique
• Change is always present
• Person is a unified whole

15
Roys Adaptation Model

• Person as a total being
• Humans are biopsychosocial beings
• Humans are in constant interaction with
  environment
• Humans are adaptive systems
• Four responsive modes
• Physiological
• Self-concept
• Role function
• Interdependence

16
Neumans Systems Model

• Focuses on total person
• Individual
• Group
• Community
• Environmental stressors
• Intrapersonal
• Interpersonal
• Extra personal

17
Neumans Systems Model

• Client system
• Physiological
• Psychological
• Sociocultural
• Developmental
• Spiritual

18
Theoretical Framework

• Broad general explanation
• Shows relationships between concepts
• Based on one existing theory

19
Conceptual Framework

• Develops when no existing theory fits
• Helps explain relationship between concepts
• Concepts are related in logical manner
• May result in another theory
• Based on more than one theory

20
Theory generation and development

• Deductive and inductive reasoning processes in
  theory generation and development
• Goes hand in hand
• Uses deductive reasoning
• Uses inductive reasoning

21
Deductive Reasoning

• Moves general to specific
• Uses general (theory)
• Hypothesis is deduced
• Empirically tested done

22
Inductive Reasoning

• Moves from specific to general
• Empirical data is obtained
• Empirical generalizations are made
• Propositional statements are produced
• A theory is developed

23
The steps used in testing a theory

• Review the literature
• Select a theory that fits
• Use a theory that works
• Describes the relationship
• Explains the relationship

24
Step-by-Step Approach

• Review theories that examine the problem
• Select a theory to be tested
• Review the literature
• Use a primary source

25
Step-by-Step Approach

• Develop study hypotheses or research questions
• Define study variables
• Choose study tools that are congruent
• Describe the findings using the theory

26
Step-by-Step Approach

• Relates study conclusions to the theory
• Determine support for the theory
• Determine implications for nursing practice
• Make recommendations for future research

27
The Study Framework critique

• Theoretical Framework
• Conceptual Framework
• Where to find it?
• Introductory section
• Literature section

28
The Appropriateness of the Theory

• Read the entire report
• Is the theory appropriate?
• What other theory could be used?
• Check for concepts and relationships
• Note operational definitions in study

29
Guidelines for Critiquing the Report

• Is the framework clearly identified?
• Is the framework based on a nursing or discipline
  theory?
• Does the framework appear to be appropriate for
  the study?
• Are the concepts clearly defined?

30
Guidelines for Critiquing the Report

• Are the relationships between the concepts
  clearly presented?
• Are the propositional statements that guide the
  question/hypothesis identified?
• Are the operational definitions provided for the
  concepts tested?