Theory and

Research Framework

PCU-MJCNClass 2012

To answer the questions:What are theories?How theories are tested?How a framework is developed? Which strategies can be used to identify the

framework in a published study?How frameworks should be critiqued?

What is a theory?

An integrated set of defined concepts and statements that present a view of phenomenon and can be used to describe, explain, predict, and control that phenomenon.

Disciplines (such as Nursing) use theories to organize their body of knowledge and to establish what is known about a phenomenon.

Theories are abstract rather than concrete.

Abstract means that the theory is the expression of an idea.

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Theories are abstract rather than conc r e t e .

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Theories guide Nursing Practice

Theory of health promotion behavior (Pender, Murdough & Parsons, 2001)

Theory of pain Theory of hierarchy of needsTheory of growth and development

Conceptual Models

Conceptual Models

Conceptual model

Phenomenon – is an occurrence or a

circumstance that is observed, something that impresses the observer as extraordinary, or a thing that appears to and is

constructed by the mind.

Assumptions – are statements that are taken for granted or

considered true, even though they

have not been scientifically tested.

Philosophical stance – is a specific

philosophical view held by a person or

group of people.

Middle range theories

Middle range theories are less abstract and more narrow in scope than conceptual models (or grand theories).

May emerge from the review of studies for the purpose of building evidence-based practice related to a particular clinical problem.

Middle range theories can be used a framework of a study, thus contributing to the validation of middle range theory.

Middle range theories

Caring by Swanson (1991)Health Promotion by Nola Pender (1987)Maternal Role Attainment by Mercer (1986)Quality of life of stroke survivors

(Fairfax,2002)Self-care of the elderly (Backman,2003)

Practice Theories – Intervention Theories

Even more specific than middle range theories.

They are designed to theoretically propose specific approaches to particular nursing practice situations.

Sometimes referred to as prescriptive theory.

Comfort Theory by Kolcaba (1994)

Framework

A brief explanation of a theory or those portions of a theory to be tested in quantitative study.

The researcher explains abstractly in the framework why one variable is expected to cause the other.

Elements of Theory

Concept

Statements

Conceptual Map

Concept

A term that abstractly describes and names an object or phenomenon, thus providing it with a separate identity or meaning.

A concept is a basic element of a theory

Anxiety Health Wellnes

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Construct

Concept

Variable

Emotional Response

Anxiety

Palmar Sweating

Abstract

Concrete

Defining concepts/termsDenotative definition - dictionaryConceptual definition tells you what a concept means in

abstract or theoretical terms. Operational definition links a concept to the concrete world by

telling you how to observe and / or measure the concept.

Example - high self esteem conceptually defined as a person demonstrating a high degree of

self worth. Operationally defined as scoring above a certain number of a self-

esteem scale.

Statements Express claims that are important to the theory

Ex. A condition referred to as stress exists and that there is a relationship between the concept of stress and the concept of health.

Declares that a given concept exists or that a relationship between concepts

occurs.

Existence Statement

Clarifies the type of relationship between or among concepts.

Ex.• High level of stress are related to declining

levels of health.• Exercise is related to weight.

StatementsRelational Statement

StatementsLevels of Relational Statements

(Propositions)

General Propositions

Specific Propositions

Hypotheses

The magnitude of the internal and external stimuli will positively influence the magnitude of the physiological

response of an intact system.

The amount of mobility in the form of exercising positively influences the level of muscle integrity.

If the nurse helps the patient maintain muscle tone through proper exercising, the patient will experience fewer problems associated with immobility. (Roy & Roberts,

1981)

Example

Conceptual MapGraphically shows the interrelationships of the

concepts and statements.It is developed to explain which concepts contribute

to or partially cause an outcome.Should be supported by references from the

literature.Summarizes and integrates what is known about a

phenomenon more succinctly and clearly than does a literary explanation.

Allows a grasp of the “wholeness” of the phenomenon.

Includes all of the major concepts in a theory or framework.

Concepts are linked by arrows expressing the proposed linkages between concepts.

Each linkage by an arrow is a graphic illustration of a relational statement (proposition) of the theory.

Conceptual Map

In summaryResearch is based on theory.Researchers use theories to organize what is

known about a phenomenon.A conceptual model, similar to a theory but more

abstract, broadly explains phenomena of interest, expresses assumptions, and reflects a philosophical stance.

In summaryA framework is a brief explanation of a theory

or those portions of a theory to be tested in a study.

Every study has a framework.The framework must identify and define the

concepts and the relational statements being tested.

Testing a theory involves determining the truth of each relational statement in the theory.

Thank You!Edna O. ImperialDean, PCU-MJCN