chapter 6 developing a theoretical or conceptual context

Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Chapter 6

Developing a Theoretical or Conceptual Context


TheoryTheory

An abstraction that purports to account for or explain phenomena

• Classical theory—An abstract generalization that systematically explains relationships among phenomena

• Descriptive theory—A theory that thoroughly describes a phenomenon, based on rich observations of it


Theory (cont’d)Theory (cont’d)

•Grand theory—A theory that attempts to explain large aspects of human experience

•Middle-range theory—A theory that focuses on a specific aspect of human experience


Conceptual ModelsConceptual Models

•Deal with abstractions, assembled in a coherent scheme

•Represent a less formal attempt than theories to explain phenomena

•Do not have formal propositions about relationships among phenomena


FrameworkFramework

•Theoretical framework (based on theory)

•Conceptual framework (based on a conceptual model)


Commonalities Between Theories and Conceptual Models

Commonalities Between Theories and Conceptual Models

•Use concepts as building blocks

•Require conceptual definitions of key concepts

•Can be depicted in a schematic model

•Are created by humans

•Are developed inductively


Commonalities Between Theories and Conceptual Models (cont’d)

Commonalities Between Theories and Conceptual Models (cont’d)

•Cannot be proven—they are supported to greater or lesser degrees

•Can be used to generate hypotheses

•Can serve as a stimulus to research


5-Step Process for Developing Conceptual Definitions

5-Step Process for Developing Conceptual Definitions

1. Develop a preliminary definition

2. Do an in-depth literature review

3. Identify exemplary cases

4. Map the concept’s meaning

5. State the revised conceptual definition


Conceptual Models of NursingConceptual Models of Nursing

Formal explanations of what nursing practice is

Four concepts central to models of nursing:

• Person

• Environment

• Health

• Nursing


Conceptual Models Used Frequently by Nurse Researchers

Conceptual Models Used Frequently by Nurse Researchers

Conceptual models of nursing:

• Roy’s Adaptation Model

• Orem’s Self-Care Model

Other models developed by nurses:

• Pender’s Health Promotion Model (HPM)

• Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Theory


Conceptual Models of Nursing Used by Nurse Researchers

Conceptual Models of Nursing Used by Nurse Researchers


Examples of Non-Nursing Models by Nurse Researchers

Examples of Non-Nursing Models by Nurse Researchers

•Becker’s Health Belief Model (HBM)

•Lazarus and Folkman’s Theory of Stress and Coping

•Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory

•Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)


The Use of Theories or Models in Quantitative Research

The Use of Theories or Models in Quantitative Research

•Testing a theory

•Testing two competing theories

•Using a theory/model as an organizing structure

•Fitting a problem into theory

•Developing an original theory/model


Theories in Qualitative ResearchTheories in Qualitative Research

• Substantive theory—conceptualizations of the target phenomena

• Theory embedded in a research tradition Grounded theory (symbolic

interactionism) Ethnography (cultural theories: ideational

and materialistic) Phenomenology (phenomenological theory

of human experience)


Examples of Questions to Assess a Model or Theory

Examples of Questions to Assess a Model or Theory

•Clarity: Are key concepts defined? Are definitions clear?

•Complexity: Is the theory sufficiently rich? Overly complex?

•Grounding: Is there an empirical basis for the theory?


Examples of Questions to Assess a Model or Theory (cont’d)

Examples of Questions to Assess a Model or Theory (cont’d)

•Appropriateness: Are key concepts within the domain of nursing?

• Importance: Will testing the theory contribute to nursing’s evidence base?

•Competition: Are there theories that better explain the key phenomenon?

chapter 6 developing a theoretical or conceptual context

Documents