Chapter 6 Developing a Theoretical or Conceptual Context

1. Chapter 6Developing a Theoretical or Conceptual Context

2. Theory An abstraction that purports to account for or explain phenomena • Classical theory—An abstract generalization that systematically explains relationships among phenomena • Descriptive theory—A theory that thoroughly describes a phenomenon, based on rich observations of it 

3. Theory (cont’d) • Grand theory—A theory that attempts to explain large aspects of human experience • Middle-range theory—A theory that focuses on a specific aspect of human experience

4. Conceptual Models • Deal with abstractions, assembled in a coherent scheme • Represent a less formal attempt than theories to explain phenomena • Do not have formal propositions about relationships among phenomena

5. Framework • Theoretical framework (based on theory) • Conceptual framework (based on a conceptual model)

6. Commonalities Between Theories and Conceptual Models • Use concepts as building blocks • Require conceptual definitions of key concepts • Can be depicted in a schematic model • Are created by humans • Are developed inductively

7. Commonalities Between Theories and Conceptual Models (cont’d) • Cannot be proven—they are supported to greater or lesser degrees • Can be used to generate hypotheses • Can serve as a stimulus to research

8. 5-Step Process for Developing Conceptual Definitions • Develop a preliminary definition • Do an in-depth literature review • Identify exemplary cases • Map the concept’s meaning • State the revised conceptual definition

9. Conceptual Models of Nursing Formal explanations of what nursing practice is  Four concepts central to models of nursing: • Person • Environment • Health • Nursing

10. Conceptual Models Used Frequently by Nurse Researchers Conceptual models of nursing: • Roy’s Adaptation Model • Orem’s Self-Care Model Other models developed by nurses: • Pender’s Health Promotion Model (HPM) • Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Theory

11. Conceptual Models of Nursing Used by Nurse Researchers

12. Examples of Non-Nursing Models by Nurse Researchers • Becker’s Health Belief Model (HBM) • Lazarus and Folkman’s Theory of Stress and Coping • Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory • Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)

13. The Use of Theories or Models in Quantitative Research • Testing a theory • Testing two competing theories • Using a theory/model as an organizing structure • Fitting a problem into theory • Developing an original theory/model

14. Theories in Qualitative Research • Substantive theory—conceptualizations of the target phenomena • Theory embedded in a research tradition • Grounded theory (symbolic interactionism) • Ethnography (cultural theories: ideational and materialistic) • Phenomenology (phenomenological theory of human experience)

15. Examples of Questions to Assess a Model or Theory • Clarity: Are key concepts defined? Are definitions clear? • Complexity: Is the theory sufficiently rich? Overly complex? • Grounding: Is there an empirical basis for the theory?

16. Examples of Questions to Assess a Model or Theory (cont’d) • Appropriateness: Are key concepts within the domain of nursing? • Importance: Will testing the theory contribute to nursing’s evidence base? • Competition: Are there theories that better explain the key phenomenon?