Nama : Fina Ayu Andanie

NIM : 113063C1120041
Kelas : B

Chapter 7
THE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

What is THEORY?
Theory comes from the Greek word “theoria” which means a beholding spectacle or
speculation. Theories are always speculative in nature and are never considered as true or
proven. The provide description and explanation of a phenomenon and are subject to further
development or revision or may even be discarded if not supported by empirical findings
(Nieswiadomy: 1993).
Theory is also a general principle, an explanation of a phenomenon or an abstract
generalization that systematically explains the relationship among given phenomena, for
purposes of explaining, predicting and controlling such phenomena (Abdellah : 1986).
Theory is likewise a statement that is much broader and complex that “fact”; the basis of
policies and practices in a particular discipline that gives specific direction to the researcher’s
solution of his/her research problem (Polit and Beck: 2004).
Theory is a set of statements that describes or explains phenomena in a systematic way,
pointing out why one event relates to another or what causes an event to occur.
Theory, likewise provides professional autonomy and power by guiding and directing
the practice, education, and research functions of the profession. Hence, theory help improve
analytical skills, broadens thinking, clarifies values, assumption and accuracy of decisions.

Characteristics of Theory
1. It Consist of a Set of Concepts
Concept. The building block of theory; a word picture or basic idea of a phenomenon that
symbolize reality. Concepts may be concrete such the concept of “nurse, “ or abstract such as
“nursing”. Concepts can be denifed or specified by a given set of examples. A concept is also
a key idea abstracted from a specific phenomenon.
 Examples :
Abstract Concepts: nursing, man health, community, Concrete Concepts: nurse, girl,
Manila
King of Concepts (Tomey: 2004)
a. Enumerative Concepts. These are characteristics of phenomena that are always present such
as age, height, weight which are always present and universal to all people.
b. Associative Concepts. These refer to concepts that exist only in some instances in the
phenomena which are not common to all conditions such as income, disease, anxiety.
c. Relational Concepts. These are characteristics of phenomena that can be understood only
when they are combined with two or more enumerative and associative concepts such as
child or elderly associated with age. developmental tasks and longevity.
d. Statistical Concepts. These refer to the quantitative property of a thing represented in terms
of its distribution to the population such as rise in blood pressure, incidence of SARS
infection and bird flu, among others.
e. Summative Concepts. These represent the global and complex entity of the phenomenon
such as health, nursing, man, and environment, among others. It requires integration of other
concepts such as nursing care, health- illness continuum, needs and problems of man, in
order to simplify its meaning and use it in a research study.
In a scientific research, concepts must all be interrelated to form a framework that guide and
direct the researcher in his/her investigation. In dealing with concepts, the following processes
are considered:
a. Conceptualization. This is the process of forming basic ideas, designs, plans or strategies
based on given facts. situations and examples applicable to the present study.
b. Fact. It is the most basic term in research that is irreducible because it is an established and
verifiable truth. Facts are analyzed to interpret the meaning and relationships of concepts in
the study. Facts are the building blocks of theories, concepts. hypotheses, and propositions. If
facts are insufficient. research results will not be conclusive and reliable.
c. Constructs. These are highly abstract, complex phenomena that are not observable, but are
inferred from concrete or less abstract indicators of a given phenomenon.
Examples: wellness, mental health, self-esteem and assertiveness.
d. Conceptual Framework. Consists of specific or well- defined concepts and constructs, which
helps clarify the overall underpinnings of the research variables in terms of how these
concepts are defined and operationalized.
Examples: oxygenation, fluids and electrolytes, metabolism.
e. Theoretical Framework. It consists of propositions. concepts, and constructs used
meaningfully as basis of the study. It is also called the conceptual framework. since the
concepts are knitted together into a coherent system to describe or explain the variables of
the study. Both conceptual framework and theoretical framework are frequently used
interchangeably.
A research study need a Conceptual or Theoretical Framework in order to:
1. Justify the rationale behind the investigation:
2. Give reasons for searching new data and for analyzing. Interpreting and synthesizing
these data: and
3. Cite theory/les on which the study is premised, in order to establish the relationship
among the variables in the study.
Example: Selye's theory of "Adaptation to Stress"-The theory postulates that the
body responds to the non-specific demands of stress by means of GAS, Which
continues until adaptation occurs or death ensues.
Concepts derived from Selye's Theory are: Stress, GAS, defense mechanisms, specific or
general, physical or psychological, among others.
2. Theory also consists of propositions, each of which indicates relationships between
concepts derived from empirical data.
Proposition. A statement or assertion of the relationship between concepts derived from
theories or generalizations based on empirical or factual data.\
Example: In Selye's "Theory of Stress," the following are propositions:
a. Man seeks to attain a desired state by mobilizing his defense mechanisms.
b. When the specific defense mechanism is identified by the body to deal with the
sources of stress, the overactivity of the general mechanism subsides, and the
specific mechanisms overreact and produce increased blood supply to the
muscular activity.
c. If the defense mechanism is unable to cope with stress, the general defense
mechanisms tend to reactivate and help the body, otherwise, death occurs.
d. During the alarm and exhaustion phase, there is increase in ACTH, which
subsides during the resistance phase when specific defense mechanisms come
into play.
The foregoing example explains the logical arrangements