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Theory
can be defined as "an internally consistent group of
relational statements (concepts, definitions and
propositions) that present a systematic view about a
phenomenon and which is useful for description,
explanation, prediction and control" (Bodie & Chitty,
1993).
Nursing
theories are used to describe, develop, disseminate, and
use present knowledge in nursing.
Nursing
theories provide a framework for nurses to systematize
their nursing actions:
what to
ask, what to observe, what to focus on and what to think
about. They provide a framework to develop new and
validate current knowledge. They help to describe,
explain, predict and prescribe.
Nursing
Theory is used to: Define commonalities of the variables
in a stated field of inquiry; guide nursing research and
actions; predict practice outcomes; and predict client
response.
Theory is used to describe, explain, predict and
prescribe.
Descriptive theory
identifies properties and components of a
discipline. They identify meaning and observations
and describe what elements exist in that discipline.
Explanatory theory
identifies how the properties and components relate
to each other and accounts for how the discipline
functions.
Predictive theories
predict the relationships between the components of
a phenomenon and predict under what conditions it
will occur.
Prescriptive theories
address nursing therapeutics and consequences of
interventions.
There are four levels of theory:
1.
Metatheory being the most abstract and not
easily tested;
2.
Grand Theory is a conceptual framework that
defines broad perspectives for nursing practice.
Examples are: Leininger’s Cultural Care Diversity;
Newman’s Health as Expanding Consciousness, and
Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming.
3.
Middle Range Theory is moderately abstract
and has a limited number of variables. They are able
to be tested directly. Mid-range is very useful in
nursing research and practice. Theory concepts
include Huth and Moore’s Pain Management (Children);
Barnard’s Child Interaction; Ruland and Moore’s End
of Life Care; Ulbrich’s Exercise as Self Care;
Pender’s Health Promotion, and; Younger’s Mastery of
Stress.
4.
Practice Theory traces the outline for
practice. Objectives are set and actions are set to
meet the objectives. Four steps in the development
of practice theories are: Factor isolating; factor
relating, situation relating, and; situation
producing control.
Theories can also be analyzed by types. In nursing,
there are four types of theories:
Needs;
Interaction; Outcome and; Humanistic.
(Extracts
from: Northern Arizona University. NUR 301: Perspectives in
Professional Nursing. Evelyn Wilkerson.
http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~erw/nur301/index.html)
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