Nursing Theory: Concepts, Research, and Evidence-Based Practice

1. Chapter 5Theory, Research, and Evidence-Based Practice

2. Sources of Knowledge • Traditional—passed down from generation to generation • Authoritative—comes from an expert • Scientific—arrived at through the scientific method

3. Types of Knowledge • Science—knowledge in and of nursing • Philosophy—the study of wisdom • Process—conceptual frameworks and theories • Historical influences—Florence Nightingale, societal changes • Societal influences—schools of nursing

4. Framework of Nursing Theory • Theory: group of concepts that describe a pattern of reality • Can be tested, changed, or used to guide research • Concepts: abstract impressions organized into symbols of reality • Conceptual framework or model

5. Types of Reasoning • Deductive reasoning—examines general ideas and considers specific actions or ideas • Inductive reasoning—builds from specific ideas or actions to conclusions about general ideas

6. Interdisciplinary Base for Nursing Theories • General systems theory—theory for universal application • Adaptation theory—adjustment of living matter to other living things and environment • Developmental theory—orderly and predictable growth and development

7. Benefits of Nursing Theory • Directs nurses toward common goal • Leads to improved patient care • Provides rational and knowledgeable reasons for nursing actions • Gives nurses knowledge base necessary for appropriate actions • Helps resolve current nursing issues • Prepares nurses to question assumptions and values • Serves research, education, and practice

8. Goal of Theoretical Frameworks • Holistic patient care • Individualized care to meet needs of patients • Promotion of health • Prevention or treatment of illness

9. Common Concepts in Nursing Theories • Person (patient) • Environment • Health • Nursing

10. The Most Important Concept of Nursing Theory–the Person

11. Goals of Research • Develop explanations (in theories) • Find solutions to problems

12. Goals of Nursing Research • Improve care of people in clinical setting • Study people and the nursing process • Education • Policy development • Ethics • Nursing history • Develop greater autonomy and strength as a profession • Provide evidence-based nursing practice

13. Methods of Nursing Research • Quantitative • Involves concepts of basic and applied research • Qualitative • Conducted to gain insight by discovering meanings • Based on belief that reality is based on various and differing perceptions

14. Types of Quantitative Research • Descriptive • Correlational • Quasi-experimental • Experimental

15. Qualitative Research Methods • Phenomenology • Grounded theory • Ethnography • Historical

16. Steps of Quantitative Research • State the research problem • Define purpose of the study • Review related literature • Formulate hypotheses and variables • Select research design • Select population and sample • Collect data • Analyze data • Communicate findings and conclusions

17. Terms in Quantitative Research • Variable • Dependent variable • Independent variable • Hypothesis • Data • Instruments

18. Protecting Rights of Research Subjects • Informed consent • Federal regulations • Review boards

19. Impediments to Nursing Research • Restricted access to resources • Limited time to participate in research • Lack of educational preparation

20. Components of a Research Journal • Abstract • Introduction • Methods • Results • Discussion • References

21. Question Tell whether the following statement is true or false. Traditional and authoritative knowledge are practical to implement, but are often based on subjective data, limiting their usefulness in a wide variety of settings. A. True B. False

22. Answer Answer: A. True Traditional and authoritative knowledge are practical to implement, but are often based on subjective data, limiting their usefulness in a wide variety of settings.

23. Question Which of the following is a series of actions, changes, or functions intended to bring about a desired result? A. Process B. Science C. Philosophy D. Theory

24. Answer Answer: A. Process Rationale: A process is a series of actions, changes, or functions to bring about a desired result taking systematic steps. A science implies a body of knowledge. A philosophy is the study of wisdom, fundamental knowledge, and the processes used to develop a perception of life. A theory is composed of a group of concepts that describe a pattern of reality.

25. Question Tell whether the following statement is true or false. A nurse who tests a nursing theory by examining the theory itself and then considering the specific actions or ideas is using deductive reasoning. A. True B. False

26. Answer Answer: A. True A nurse who tests a nursing theory by examining the theory itself and then considering the specific actions or ideas is using deductive reasoning.

27. Question Which of the following is the central theme in theoretical frameworks of nursing? A. The person receiving the care B. The healthcare environment C. The nursing plan of care D. The person providing the care

28. Answer Answer: A. The person receiving the care Rationale: Theoretical frameworks of nursing provide a focus for nursing care activities. The person receiving care is the central theme, but the way each theorist defines that person, the environment, health, and nursing gives a unique focus specific to a particular theory.

29. Question Tell whether the following statement is true or false. The basis of phenomenology is the discovery of how people describe their own reality and how their beliefs are related to their actions in a social scene. A. True B. False

30. Answer Answer: B. False The basis of grounded theory is the discovery of how people describe their own reality and how their beliefs are related to their actions in a social scene.