Understanding Nursing Theory and Research Frameworks

A framework is a brief explanation of a theory or portions of a theory to be tested in a study. A theory is abstract rather than concrete. It focuses on the general. The framework may be implicit or implied.

Chapter 7

Understanding Theory and Research

Frameworks

Theory’s Role in Research

 Research is based on theory

 Theory is the initial inspiration for research

study

 Research helps answer the question, “Was

my theory correct?”

Frameworks and Theories

 A framework is a brief explanation of a theory

or portions of a theory to be tested in a study

 A theory is abstract rather than concrete

 It focuses on the general

 The framework may be implicit or implied

Conceptual Models

 These are more abstract than theories

 They explain phenomena of interest and

reflect a philosophical stance

 They cannot be tested via research

 They may guide further qualitative studies

 Operational definitions are often found in

these models

Elements of a Theory

 Concepts: Abstractly describe and name an object,

idea, or phenomenon, thus providing it with a

separate identity or meaning

 Conceptual definition: More comprehensive than a

dictionary definition; includes associated meanings a

word may have

 Relational statement: Clarifies the type of

relationship that exists between or among concepts

 Map or model: Graphically shows the

interrelationships of the concepts and relational

statements

Middle Range Theories

 Less abstract and narrower in scope than

conceptual models

 Emerge from review of studies to build

evidence-based practice related to a clinical

problem

Practice and Intervention Theories

 Practice theory is prescriptive theory

 Intervention theory is a form of practice

theory

 These theories direct nursing interventions

 Practice theory research develops into

evidence-based practice

 Frameworks explain the theory

 Frameworks give relationships of variables

 This results in the hypothesis, which is

testable

Sources of Conceptual Definitions

 Existing theoretical works

 Must be used if proposition from theory being

tested

 Always desirable when available

 Should be directly quoted (if possible) and cited

 Published concept analyses

Sources of Conceptual Definitions

(cont’d)

 Previous studies using the concept

 Publications describing instrument

development

 General literature

 Performing a concept analysis

Critiquing a Study Framework

 Concepts are linked with variables that are

measured

 Concepts are represented in hypotheses,

research questions, or objectives

 The hypotheses, research questions, or

objectives are tested statistically

 The hypotheses, research questions, or

objectives emerge from framework

propositions

Critiquing a Study Framework (cont’d)

 Look for comments connecting findings to

specific elements of the framework

 Search for comments discussing the

implications of findings in terms of truth or

falsity of framework propositions

Critiquing a Study Framework (cont’d)

 Are the findings for each hypothesis,

question, or objective consistent with those

proposed by the framework?

 If the findings are not consistent with the

framework, was the methodology adequate to test the hypothesis, question, or objective?

 Are the findings consistent with those of other studies using the same framework (or testing

the same propositions)?

Developing Relational Statements

 When possible, they should be obtained from existing theoretical works and the source

cited

 Called an existence statement

 Otherwise, relationships must be proposed by researcher

 Also called propositions

 Evidence for validity of statement should be

provided

Critique Guidelines for Statements

 What statements are expressed within the

publication?

 Are all the study concepts included within the

statements?

 Do the statements reflect back on the Title and

Purpose of the study?

 Are statements expressed as both propositions and

hypotheses (or research questions)?

 Are one or more statements being tested by the

study design?

Conceptual Maps

 Show interrelationship between concepts and statements

 Summarize and integrate what is known

about a phenomenon more clearly than do

literary explanations

 Include all major concepts in a theory

 Use arrows to explain linkages

Frameworks for Physiological Studies

 Derived from physics, physiology, and

pathophysiology

 Theoretical relationships may be considered

facts rather than theories

 Propositions can be developed and tested

using these laws and principles

Frameworks Based on Middle

Range Theories

 Limited scope

 Particular substantive focus

 Contain limited number of concepts

 Focus on limited aspect of relationship

 Sufficiently general to be interesting

 Empirically testable

 Consolidated into wide-range theories

Frameworks Derived from Qualitative

Studies

 Middle-range theories are developed in some qualitative studies as outcomes of the study

 These become the basis for clinical practice

and/or as the framework in other qualitative

or quantitative studies

Frameworks Including Conceptual