Theories

1
Theories

• Conceptual Models

2
Theory

• Organized/Systematic
• Set of statement (concepts)
• Describes the relationship between 2 or more
  variables
• Provides meaning for collection of individual
  facts and observations
• Provides framework to describe, explain and
  predict

3
Framework

• Theorectical Framework-study based on a theory
• Conceptual Framework-study based on abstract and
  general concepts

4
Inductive verses Deductive

• Inductive-collection of observations leading to
  conclusions or hypothesis
• Deductive-begins with known facts-move from
  general to the specific-used to test predictions
  and validate existing relations

5
Inductive versus Deductive Approach

• Inductive
• Empirical Observations
• Facts
• Concepts
• Theories
• Laws

• Deductive
• Laws
• Theories
• Concepts
• Facts
• Empirical Observations

6
Metapardigm-an interest in a particular
discipline(4 concepts)

• Person-(individuals, families, communities
  groups)
• Environment-(persons, significant others,
  physical surrounding, settings in which nursing
  occurs)
• Health-(persons state of well being, at the time
  nursing occurs)
• Nursing-(the actions taken by nurses)

7
Nursing Theories-deal with These 4 Metapardigm
Concepts

• Grand Theory-explains broad areas and include
  numerous concepts that arent well defined
  (ambiguous/unclear relationships) not very useful
  for nursing practice.
• Middle Range Theory-looks at a piece of
  reality/contains clearly defined variables,
  concrete and operationally defined (describe,
  explain, predict phenomena, explicit and testable)

8

• Practice Theories-more specific than middle
  range, produce specific directions or guidelines
  for practice (prescriptive) covers specific
  elements of a specialty
• Borrowed Theories-based on theoretical work from
  other disciplines, such as sociology.

9
Concepts-building blocks of theory

• Conceptual Models-synonymous with conceptual
  framework, conceptual system
• Loosely structured
• Provide framework for communication