Conceptual- Theoretical

Basis of a Study
 Good research usually integrates
research findings into an orderly,
coherent system:

1. Linking new research and existing

knowledge through a thorough
review of prior research on a topic.

2. Identifying or developing an
appropriate conceptual framework.
A theoretical framework is analogous
to the frame of the house.

Just as the foundation supports a

house, a theoretical framework
provides a rationale for predictions
about the relationships among
variables of a research study
 Theory = Abstraction

 Anabstraction that purports to account for or

explain phenomena.

A set of concepts, definitions, relationships, and

assumptions that project a systematic view of a
phenomena.
A theory is a set of interrelated
constructs, definitions, and
propositions that present a systematic
view of phenomena by specifying
relations among variables, with the
purpose of explaining and predicting
the phenomena.
 Concepts – ideas and mental images that
help to describe phenomena.
 Definitions – convey the general meaning
of the concepts
 Assumptions – statements that describe
concepts
 Propositions - that indicate a relationship
among the concepts.
 Phenomenon – aspect of reality that can
be consciously sensed or experienced.
* Theories are generated by using inductive
processes

* A deductive approach is used to evaluate and

modify existing theory by testing predictions
about relationships between observed
phenomena.
 Theoriesand conceptual models are not
discovered; they are created and invented.

 Theory building depends not only on the

observable facts in our environment but also on
the originator’s ingenuity in pulling those facts
together and making sense of them.

 Theorist:
1. Insightful
2. Solid knowledge base
3. Able to knit together observations and evidence.
 Theories
 Models
 Frameworks
 Schemes
 Maps

* There is some overlap in how these terms are

used, because they are used differently by
different writers, and because they are
interrelated.
 Descriptive theories – first level of theory
development refer to a broad characterization of a
phenomenon. So a theory can account for thoroughly
describe a single phenomenon.

 Prescriptive theories – address nursing interventions and

predict their consequences

 Middle-range theories- address specific phenomena

and reflect practice.

 Grand theories – broad and complex (explain large

segments of the human experience).
Use concepts as building blocks

Requireconceptual definitions of key

concepts

Can be depicted in schematic models

Are developed inductively

Cannot be proved—they are supported
to greater or lesser degrees

Can be used to generate hypotheses

Can serve as a stimulus to research

 The overall conceptual underpinnings of a
study
 Not every study is based on a theory or
conceptual model, but every study has a
framework.

 Theoretical framework (based on theory)

 Conceptual framework (based on a
conceptual model)
It provides a context for examining a problem
(theoretical rationale for):
 Developing hypotheses
 A frame of reference/base for
 Observations
 Definitions of concepts
 Research designs
 Interpretations
 Generalizations

 Serves as a guide to systematically identify

logical, precisely defined relationships among
variables
 The
overall purpose is to make research findings
meaningful and generalizable.

 Theoriesallow researchers to knit together

observations and facts into an orderly scheme.

 They are efficient mechanisms for drawing together

accumulated facts, sometimes from separate and
isolated investigations.
 Everyday practice enriches theory
 Both practice and theory are guided by values
and beliefs
 Theory helps to reframe our thinking about
nursing
 Theory guides use of ideas and techniques
 Theory can close the gap between theory and
research
 To envision potentialities
 Itguides nursing practice and generates
knowledge

 It helps to describe or explain nursing

 Enablesnurses to know WHY they are doing

WHAT they are doing
“The study and use of nursing theory in
nursing practice must have roots in the
everyday practice of nurses
(Gordon, Parker, and Jester, 2001).
 Symbolic
representations of a
conceptualization.

 Constructed representations of some aspect

of reality; they use concepts as building
blocks, with a minimal use of words.

A visual or symbolic representation of a

theory or conceptual framework often
helps to express abstract ideas in a concise
and readily understandable form.
 represent phenomena graphically.

 Conceptsand the linkages between them

are represented through the use of boxes,
arrows, or other symbols.
 Thesemodels use symbols to express
quantitatively the nature of relationships
among variables.
 Explicittheory or conceptual model VS
Implicit?

 Researchersshould make clear the

conceptual definition of their key variables,
thereby providing information about the
study’s framework.
 Organize patient data
 Understand patient data
 Analyze patient data
 Make decisions about nursing interventions
 Plan patient care
 Predict outcomes of care
 Evaluate patient outcomes
Nurses also utilizes non-nursing theories

 Systems theory
 Basic Human Needs theory
 Health and Wellness Models
 Stress and Adaptation
 Developmental Theories
 Psychosocial Theories
 Medical science
 Nursing education
 Professional nursing organizations
 Evolving research approaches
 Global concerns
 Consumer demands
 Technologies
 Theory provides direction for nursing research

 Relationshipsof components in a theory help to

drive the research questions for understanding
nursing

 Chinn and Kramer (2004), indicate a spiral

relationship between the two

Through research, scientists can develop, modify,

or evaluate theories
 Testing a theory
 Testing two competing theories
 Testing a theory-based intervention
 Used as an organizing structure
 Fitting
a problem into theory after-the-fact (not
recommended)
Four concepts central to models of nursing:

 Person
 Environment
 Health
 Nursing
 The person is a biopsychosocial organism
that is partially shaped by the environment
but also seeks to create an environment in
which inherent and acquired human potential
can be fully expressed. Thus, the
relationship between person and environment
is reciprocal. Individual characteristics as
well as life experiences shape behaviors
including health behaviors.
 Individual health is defined as the
actualization of inherent and acquired
human potential through goal-directed
behavior, competent self-care, and
satisfying relationships with others, while
adjustments are made as needed to
maintain structural integrity and harmony
with relevant environments. There are also
definitions for family health and community
health that have been proposed by other
authors.
 Nursing is collaboration with individuals,
families and communities to create
supportive conditions for the expression of
optimal health, high-level well-being and a
health-promoting lifestyle.
 Theenvironment is the social, cultural and
physical context in which the life course
unfolds. The environment can be
manipulated by the individual to create a
positive context of cues and facilitators for
health-enhancing behaviors.