This module presents the rationale for studying and utilizing theory in practice, research, administration, and education. An overview of the historical development of theory utilization in nursing will be explored, as well as the scope and levels of theory. The widely accepted nursing paradigm will be introduced. We will also delve into concept development—- presenting the rationale and methods for concept analysis and concept clarification. This will allow advanced practice nurses to develop or clarify meanings for the phenomena encountered in practice. The outcome can then serve as the basis for further development of theory for research and practice.

This module then builds on concept development by describing the process used to link concepts to form relationship statements and to construct conceptual frameworks and theories. Theory development seeks to help the nurse understand practice in a more complete and insightful way, and provides a method of identifying and expressing key ideas about the essence of practice. The components of a theory will be described, as well as the relationships among theory, practice and research. Various approaches and processes of theory development will be illustrated, as well as methods used to analyze and evaluate theories.

The unique theories and perspectives used by a discipline help to distinguish it from other disciplines. The theories used by members of a profession clarify basic assumptions and values shared by its members and define the nature, outcome, and purpose of practice. The term “theory” has been described as a systematic explanation of an event in which constructs and concepts are identified, and relationships are proposed and predictions are made. The use of theory offers structure and organization to nursing knowledge, and provides a systematic means of collecting data to describe, explain, and predict nursing practice.

A necessary component of theory development is the process of developing, clarifying, comparing and contrasting, and integrating well derived and defined concepts. This process includes reviewing the nurse’s area of interest, examining the phenomena closely, pondering the terms that are relevant and fit together with reality, and operationalizing the concept for practice, research or education use. Many of the topics introduced in Module 2 will assist advanced practice nurses to understand the relationship among theory, practice, and research and to further develop the discipline, the science, and the profession of nursing.

Theories exist to describe, explain, or predict phenomena that are of interest to nursing. They help organize extant knowledge and aid in making new and important discoveries that advance the nursing profession. A theory has several components, including purpose, concepts and definitions, theoretical statements, structure, and assumptions. Conceptual models further explain and define relationships, structure and linkages within the theory. Theory development refers to the processes and methods used to create, modify, or refine a theory. This is a complex, time-consuming process that entails a number of stages from inception of concepts to testing of theoretical propositions through research.

Equally important is the analysis and evaluation of nursing theory. Theory evaluation identifies a theory’s degree of usefulness to guide practice, research, education, and administration. This evaluation gives insight into relationships among concepts and their linkages to each other and allows the reviewer to determine the strengths and weaknesses of a theory. It also assists in identifying the need for additional theory development or refinement, which may ultimately lead to new insights that will add to the body of practice or research. While a number of methods of theory evaluation methods exist, the most common criteria include an examination of complexity, scope, definition of concepts, consistency, contribution to understanding, testability, and logical congruence. It is important for the advanced practice nurse to know how to analyze or evaluate a theory to determine if it is reliable and valid, and to determine when and how to apply it in practice, research, education, or administration.

Discussion Question:

How are theory and research connected? Provide one example of how theory supports research or how research supports theory from the nursing literature.Your initial posting should be 250 to 350 words in length and utilize at least one scholarly source other than the textbook.

This module provides an overview of the concepts of science and philosophy as a basis for exploring theory and research in nursing. We begin by examining the schools of philosophical thought that have influenced nursing. The epistemology of nursing is explored to gain a better understanding of how multiple “ways of knowing” is an important concept in the quest for development and application of theory and research in nursing. Having set a foundation for the quest for knowledge, we turn our attention to the research process, with a particular emphasis on the planning phase. This module introduces students to concepts related to the planning phase and skills needed for critically reviewing literature in nursing research.

Nursing is an evolving profession, an academic discipline, and a science. There has not yet been a concerted effort to reach consensus about knowledge that is fundamental to nursing. The knowledge that constitutes the discipline has not yet been identified and structured, and agreement has not been reached concerning appropriate and needed inclusions.

Entering the 21st century, nurses are split on whether to emphasize a humanistic, holistic focus or an objective, scientifically-derived means of comprehending reality. Many advocate for an open philosophy that ties empirical concepts that are capable of validating through the senses with theoretical concepts of meaning and value.

Future nursing leaders and novice nurse scientists need to possess an understanding of nursing’s philosophical foundations. The legacy of philosophical positivism continues to drive beliefs in the scientific method and research strategies, however, the challenges of the increasingly complex and volatile health care environment challenges all nurses to achieve a greater understanding of the relationship between philosophy and science in nursing.

Research brings us new knowledge that informs our practice. The ultimate goal is to improve the outcomes of care. In this module, we addressed the very first step in conducting a research study: deciding upon the focus or topic of the study. It is a creative process involving thinking, reflecting, reading, and talking with others. A strong topic for research study should be one that is innovative, significant, reasonable, ethical, and exciting to you personally.

To design a research study that builds upon existing knowledge and is clearly connected to that knowledge base, a thorough and analytical review of the literature is needed. Both the theoretical literature and the research literature should be reviewed. Your approach to these two different types of information will differ in several ways discussed in this module. There are several phases to conducting a review of the literature: the search, reading what you have found and making notes on important points, and then writing the review.

Discussion Question:

Why is a literature review an important part of the planning phase? What impact should the literature have on current research?