➢ Why the interest in theory? 1. The no. 1 requisite if we have to be on the level of being a professional. 2. To guide us in how to go about the different nursing actions. 3. It becomes a framework for organizing data.
Theory – speculative in nature
Nursing Theory – mental conceptualization where the perspective is a nursing aspect - explain & describe a particular nursing action - can also predict its effects on clients’ outcome - primary purpose is to generate scientific knowledge - serve several essential purposes
1. Description – clarifying ideas, phenomena, experience or circumstances that are not well understood. E.g. meaning of pain to patient 2. Exploration – how ideas are related. E.g. relationship of pain to patient’s physiological & psychological conditions 3. Explanation – the whys of events & occurrences 4. Prediction & Control – knowing & foretelling correctly what will happen & also how to make it happen. E.g. how to control the severity of the client’s pain
Components of a Theory a. Concepts – basic unit in the language of theoretical thinking - can be empirical or concrete (can be observed through the senses) or abstract (not observable) b. Definitions – statements of the meaning of a word c. Assumptions – accepted facts d. Phenomena – reality
Types of Theories a. Grand Theories – does not prescribe actions - provide structural framework b. Middle Range Theories – more helpful to nursing practice - narrower focus than grand theory, more precise than grand theories & focus on developing theoretical statements to answer questions about nursing c. Descriptive Theory – speculative; predictive d. Prescriptive – can anticipate what might be the consequences of nursing actions
