Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Chapter 6 Theoretical Frameworks

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Question Tell whether the following statement is true or false: A theory is an abstraction that purports to account for or explain phenomena.

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Answer True A theory is an abstraction that purports to account for or explain phenomena.

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Question What is a descriptive theory? A.An abstract generalization that systematically explains relationships among phenomena. B.A theory that thoroughly describes a phenomenon, based on rich observations of it. C.A theory attempt to describe large segments of the human experience. D. A theory that focuses on a specific aspect of human experience.

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Answer B 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. 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.

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 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

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 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

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Question Tell whether the following statement is true or false: Schematic models are graphic, theory driven representations of phenomena and their interrelationships using symbols or diagrams and a minimal use of words.

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Answer True Schematic models are graphic, theory driven representations of phenomena and their interrelationships using symbols or diagrams and a minimal use of words.

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 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

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Framework Theoretical framework (based on theory) Conceptual framework (based on a conceptual model)

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 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

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 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

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 5-Step Process for Developing Conceptual Definitions 1. Develop a preliminary definition 2. Do an in-depth literature review 3. Identify exemplary cases 4. Map the concept’s meaning 5. State the revised conceptual definition

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Conceptual Models of Nursing Formal explanations of what nursing practice is Four concepts central to models of nursing: Person Environment Health Nursing

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Conceptual Models Used Frequently by Nurse Researchers Conceptual models of nursing: Roy’s Adaptation Model Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings Model Other models developed by nurses: Pender’s Health Promotion Model (HPM) Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Theory

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Examples of Nonnursing 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)

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 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

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Question What type of theory do some qualitative researchers seek to develop that provide data driven explanations to account for phenomena under study? A.Grounded B.Ethnography C.Phenomenology D.Shared

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Answer A Some qualitative researchers specifically seek to develop grounded theories, data-driven explanations to account for phenomena under study through inductive processes. Ethnography is cultural theories—ideational and materialistic. Phenomenology is the phenomenological theory of human experience.

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 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)

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 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?

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 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?