Nursing Theory
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Theory development guideline/rubric ap/11/2020
Theory Development Assignment
Theory is a set of interrelated concepts, based on assumption, woven together through a set of
propositional statements (Fitzpatrick, 1997, p. 37) used to provide a perspective on reality.
Purpose: Nursing theory development is a scholarly endeavor pursued systematically. Rigorous
development of nursing theories is a high priority for the future of the discipline and the practice of the
profession of nursing (McCrae 2012). This assignment will introduce students to the rigorous steps
required in theory development.
Goal: To develop a nursing theory that addresses a phenomenon in the workplace
Objectives: Students will demonstrate knowledge and competencies required for theory development.
By meeting the following criteria for this theory development assignment. Students will:
1. Identify workplace, role and identify and define (2) concept(s), describe phenomena as abstract
or concrete
Concepts & definitions
1. Identify and define the concepts theoretically (establish meaning)
2. Identify and define the concepts operationally (use measurable terms)
Relational statements
1. Develop theoretical and operational relational statements or propositions to build a theory
2. theoretical statements (relate concepts to one another; permit analysis)
3. operational statements (relate concepts to measurements)
Linkages & Ordering provides rationale for the stated connections
1. Build relationships with linkages between related concepts
2. Develop theoretical linkages
3. Develop operational linkages
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Theory development guideline/rubric ap/11/2020
Theory Development Rubric Criteria Novice Adv Beginner competent Proficient
20% Introduction: Clearly defined thesis statement Identify workplace & role/title Background of phenomena and why this is a problem
Lack thesis statement background of phenomena workplace not identified
Lack thesis statement background of phenomena, but meets all other criteria
Lack thesis statement but meets all other criteria
Meets all criteria
50% Concept definitions theoretical & operational Relational statement theoretical & operational and linkages theoretical & operational
Lack concept definitions, relational statement, linkages & ordering statement (rationale)
lack concept definitions and relational statement
Lack concept definitions
Meets all criteria
10% % Summary conclusion with reflection
Lack summary and any part
Include summary & reflection
Include summary & recommendation
Meets criteria include summary, recommendation, and reflection
10% Grammatical errors, spelling & typos, sentence & paragraph length redundancy & lack of clarity
>10 grammatical errors, typos & spelling with clarity issues
<10 grammatical errors, typos & spelling with occasional structural deficiencies without clarity issues
5 grammatical errors, typos & spelling with no clarity issues
<5 grammatical errors, typos & spelling with no clarity issues
10%, word document APA compliant and 20%, copy match page count 4 all inclusive (title, reference & content)
>35% copy match, > 10 APA deficiencies
35% copy match, <10 APA deficiencies
30% copy match & 5 APA deficiencies
Meets criteria 20% copy match, < 5 APA deficiencies meets 4page requirement
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Theory development guideline/rubric ap/11/2020
References Alligood, M.R. (2018). Nursing theorists and their works, 9th edition. St. Louis Missouri: Elsevier
Fitzpatrick, J.J. (1997). Nursing theory & metatheory. In I.M. King & J. Fawcett (Eds.). The language of
nursing theory and metatheory, (pp. 37-39). IN Indianapolis: Sigma Theta Tau.
McCrae, N. (2012). Whither nursing models? The value of nursing theory in in the context of evidence-
based practice and multidisciplinary health care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(1), 222-229
Peterson, S.J. & Bredow, T.S. (2009). Middle range theories application to nursing research, 2nd edition.
Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer