THEORY

Usually means “mere guess” or

UNPROVED.

Literally means “ a vision” or “ a

beholding scene”.

Greek word “ theoria”

• Scientifically theory implies that
something has been proven and is
generally accepted as being true.

•
An idea or set of ideas that is
intended to explain facts or events
• An idea that is suggested or
presented as possibly true but
that is not known or proven to be
true
•
The general principles or ideas
that relate to a principles or ideas
that relate to a particular subject
•
Ex. Theory of evolution
 Theory (Definition)
• A set of statements that tentatively
describe, explain, or predict
relationships among concepts that
have been systematically selected
& organized as an abstract
representation of some
phenomenon (Powers & Knapp)
• Theory
• An internally consistent group of
relational statements (concepts,
definitions & propositions) that
present a systematic view about a
phenomenon & which is useful for
description, explanation,
prediction & control (By Bodie &
Chitty)
 Theory
• A creative & rigorous structuring
of ideas that project a tentative,
purposeful & systematic view of
phenomenon
• Validation of existing knowledge as
well as discovery of new
knowledge.
• *** we apply theory to describe,
explain, predict, or prescribe
nursing practice
 CATEGORIES OF THEORY
COMPONENTS

• Concepts and Definitions

• Relational Statements
• Linkages and Ordering
 CONCEPTS
>Are words or phrases
that are used to represent
the phenomenon
observed or experienced.
>Are the building blocks
of theories ,“ideas”.
>Describe and classify
phenomena.
 Abstract Concepts-
independent of a certain
time and place (eg., CHS)

Concrete concepts- more

specific time or place (eg.,
Nursing, Pharmacy)
 Discrete concepts- they
belong or not belong to a
particular categories or
classes of phenomena
(patients, nurses,
environment)
 Continuous concepts-
classifications of dimensions
or gradations of a
phenomenon across a
continuum (pain, health –
illness continuum)
Degrees or levels in a given
continuum
• Theoretical Definitions of
Concept (dictionary) -
establish meaning

• Operational Definitions of
Concept (how these
concepts are used or will be
used within the context of
the phenomenon) - provide
measurement
 10 Phases of Concept Building
Process
1. Write a meaningful practice
story.
2. Name the Central Phenomenon
in the practice story.
3. Identify a theoretical lens for
viewing the phenomenon.
4. Link the Phenomenon to existing
literature.
5. Gather a story from someone
who has lived the phenomenon.
 6. Reconstruct the shared story and
create mini- saga that captures its
message.
7. Identify the core qualities of the
phenomenon.
8. Use the core qualities to create a
definition.
9. Create a model of the phenomenon
10. Write a mini synthesis that
integrates the phenomenon with a
population to suggest research
direction.
 Relational Statements
- Statements in a theory may
state definitions or relations
among concepts.
Theoretical Statements - relate
concepts to one another; permit
analysis.

Operational Statements - relate

concepts to measurements.
 LINKAGES AND ORDERING
• Linkages of Theoretical
Statements: - provide rationale
of why theoretical statements
are linked; add plausibility.
• Linkages of Operational
Statements: - provides rationale
for how measurement variables
are linked; permit testability.
• Organization of concepts and
definitions into primitive and
derived terms - eliminates
overlap ( tautology )

• Organization of statements and

linkages into premises and
derived hypotheses and
equations - eliminates
inconsistency
Theory Development Principles
• SCIENTIFIC LAWS
• Is a statement of fact that aims to
explain, in brief and simple terms,
an action or set of actions.
• Generally accepted to be true and
universal and can occasionally be
expressed in terms of a single
mathematical equation
• SIMPLE, TRUE, UNIVERSAL &
ABSOLUTE
• Statement based on repeated
experimental observations that
describes some aspects of the
universe
• Always applies under the same
conditions, & implies that there is a
causal relationship involving its
elements
• Ex. Law of Universal Gravitation by
Newton
 HYPOTHESIS
>Is an educated guess based upon
observation.
• Can be supported or proven false by
experimentation or continued observation
• An idea or theory that is not proven but
leads to further study or discussion
• An assumption made for the sake of
argument
• HAS NOT BEEN PROVED
• Ex. Watching excessive amounts of TV
reduces a person’s ability to concentrate
• Smoking leads to lung cancer
 Scientific Law vs Theory
THEORY Scientific Law
more complex & dynamic -
Explains an entire group Governs a single action
Can be changed or Foundations for all
improved without science
changing the overall truth
Maybe replaced
Developed from the
scientific method
ACCEPTED AT TRUE
AND PROVED
• Contemporary Issues in Nursing
Theory Development
> Theoretical Boundaries and
Levels to Advance Nursing
Science
* proposed framework now
used without reference to the
author for the develoment of
nursing science.
> Nursing Theory, Practice and
Research
* Theory -testing research may
lead one nursing theory to fall
aside as new theory is developed
that explains nursing phenomena
more adequately; must continue to
advance the discipline.
 CHAPTER 4
• STRUCTURE OF SPECIALIZED
NURSING KNOWLEDGE

1. Philosophy
2. Conceptual Models
3. Nursing Theory
4. Middle - Range Theory
• PHILOSOPHY
> most abstract type and sets
forth the meaning of nursing
phenomena through analysis,
reasoning and logical
presentation.
Eg. Nightingale - provided
direction or a basis for
subsequent developments.
• Conceptual Models
> provides a distinct frame of
reference for its adherents.. that
tells them how to observe and
interpret the phenomena of interest
to the discipline.
> comprehensive
Eg. Neuman's systems model
• Nursing Theory
> developed from some
conceptual framework and is
generally not as specific as a
middle range theory.

> they propose a testable action.

> may be specific to a particular

aspect or setting of nursing
practice
• Middle Range Theory
> most specific focus and is
concrete in its level of abstraction.
> precise and answer specific
nursing practice questions.
> address the specifics of nursing
situations within the perspective of
the theory from which they are
derived.
> age group, health condition,
location, nurse action