What is a theory?

 A theory is an organized system of accepted knowledge that is composed of concepts,

prepositions, definitions, and assumptions intended to explain a set of fact, event or
phenomena.
 A theory is “a creative and rigorous structuring of ideas that projects a tentative, purposeful and
systematic view of phenomena. – Chinn and Kramer

How other authors define THEORY

 A theory, by traditional definition, is an organized, coherent set of concepts and their

relationship to each other that offers descriptions, explanations and predictions about
phenomena. – Parker (2001)
 A theory is a set of concepts, definitions, relationships and assumptions that project a
systematic view of phenomena. –Potter (2004)
 “It is a reasoned proposed explanation of an occurrence, or of something that will occur or be
produced, for which absolute proof is lacking.” – Blackwell (2005)
 A theory is a set of concepts and propositions that provide an early way to view phenomena. –
Delaune and Laudner (2006)

Nursing Theory

 A group of interrelated concepts that are developed from various studies of disciplines and
related experiences.

Purpose of Nursing Theory

 Guide nurses in their practice of their profession, to be able to maximize the outcome of nursing
process.

What is Nursing?

 Nursing is the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health
problems.
- American Nursing Association (ANA)
 Nursing encompasses “autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families,
groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings, Nursing includes the promotion of
health, prevention of illness and the care of ill, disabled and dying people.
- International Council of Nurses (ICN)
 Nursing is to assist clients in the performance of activities contributing to health, its recovery or
peaceful death that clients will perform unaided, if they had the necessary will, strength or
knowledge. – Henderson
  Nursing is a dynamic discipline. It is an art and a science of caring for individuals, families,
groups, and communities geared toward promotion and restoration of health, prevention of
illness, alleviation of suffering, and assisting clients to face death with dignity and peace.
- Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing (ADPCN)

The word metaparadigm came from the word “meta,” a Greek word which means “with” and paradigm
which means “patterns.”

The Metaparadigm of Nursing

Person

 The recipient of nursing care like individuals, families, and communities.

Environment

 The external and internal aspects of life that influence the person.

Health

 The holistic level of wellness that the person experiences.

Nursing

 The interventions of the nurse rendering care in support of or in cooperation with the client.

Nursing Paradigms

 Patterns or models used to show a clear relationship among the existing theoretical works in
nursing.

Different Types of Theories

Descriptive

 To know the properties and workings of a discipline.

 Also known as Factor-Isolating Theories
 Known to be the primary level of theory development.
 They identify and describe major concepts of phenomena.
 However, they do not explain the relationship of the concepts.
 Their main purpose is to present a phenomenon based on the five senses together with their
corresponding meaning.
Example:
 A descriptive research about the Filipino nursing practices like use of herbal medicines and other
alternative forms of treatment.

Explanatory
  To examine how properties relate and thus affect the discipline.
 Also known as Factor-Relating Theories.
 The type of theory that present relationship among concepts and propositions.
 These theories aim to provide information on how or why concepts are related.
 Cause and effect relationship are well explained using Explanatory theories.
Example:
 A research study about the factors affecting newborns in falling to thrive.

Predictive

 To calculate the relationship between properties and how they occur.

 Also known as Situation-Relating Theories.
 Achieved when the relationships of concepts under a certain condition are able to describe
future outcomes consistently.
 This kind of theory is generated and tested using experimental research.
Example:
 A Theoretical model based on the observation of the effects of unsanitary environmental
condition on the recovery of the post-operative patients.

Prescriptive

 To identify under which conditions relationships occur.

 Also called Situation-Producing Theories.
 Deal with nursing actions, and test the validity and certainty of a specific nursing intervention.
 This kind of theory is commonly used in testing new nursing interventions.

Characteristics of a Theory

1. Theories can correlate concepts in such a way as to generate a different way of looking at a
certain fact of phenomenon.
2. Theories must be logical in nature.
3. Theories should be simple but generally broad in nature.
4. Theories can be the source of hypothesis that can be tested for it to be elaborated.
5. Theories contribute in enriching the general body of knowledge through the studies
implemented to validate them.

Components of Theory

Context

 Resembles environment to which nursing act takes place.

Content

 Subject of the theory.

Process

 Method by which nurse acts in using nursing theory.

Concepts

 The building blocks of theories.

 Can come from empirical phenomena or any abstraction of how a person perceived an object
that is not physically present or observed like charity, caring, patience.
 Enhances one’s capacity to understand phenomena as it helps define the meaning of a word.

Type of Concepts

 Abstract Concepts – are indirectly observed or intangible. It is independent of time and place.
 Concrete Concepts – directly observed or tangible.
 Conceptual Definitions – the meaning of a word based on how a certain theory or relevant
literature perceives it to be.
 Ex. Roles/Concepts of a Nurse
Patient care
Environment
 Operational definitions – are meaning of a word based on the method of how it was measured
or how the person come up with that perception.
 Ex. Significance of pain perception practiced nursing intervention

Theoretical Models or Frameworks

 Are highly established set of concepts that are testable.

Conceptual Models or Frameworks

 Are representations of an idea or body of knowledge based on the own understanding or

perception of a person or researcher on a certain topic, phenomena, or theory.
 Can be represented thru a diagram or in narrative form which shows how concepts are
interrelated.
 Person – Physical Fitness Exercise – Lowered Blood Pressure

Science

 Form the Latin scientia, meaning “knowledge”

 It refers to any systematic knowledge or practice in a discipline of study.
 Refers to a system of acquiring knowledge based on the scientific method.
 It is also the organized body of knowledge gained through research.

1. Observation
 Integration of knowledge and/or phenomenon by a rational/sentient being.
  Ex. Elmer, a nurse-researcher observes a certain nursing phenomena and makes a study
about it.
2. Gathering Information/Data
 Recognition and collecting data for a particular scientific problem or inquiry.
 Ex. His colleague, Dave helps him to gather data thru various methods.
3. Experimental Investigation
 A set of examinations done to solve the particular query raised through the hypothesis
process.
 Ex. They conduct a survey and interview, and apply statistical treatment on the data.
4. Conclusion/Theoretical Explanation
 A statement explaining a set of natural phenomena or a scientific query derived from
Experimental Investigation.
 Ex. Based from the result, they draw a conclusion. As new data emerges, the study is re-
examined and verified.