1. Read textbook chapters 1, 3, 4 and 6 . After reading the assigned chapters and reviewing the posted content for this week, think about the importance of research and evidence based practice to the profession of nursing. Think of your own clinical prac

Knowledge Development in Nursing

Strategies for Knowledge Development Found in the Nursing Literature

• Qualitative Research

• Quantitative Research

• Borrowed Theory

• Borrowed Concept

• Analysis of a Theory or Concept

• Synthesis of a Theory or Concept

Concepts are the Building Blocks of Knowledge

• A concept is a term or label given to

phenomenon or group of phenomena

(aspects of reality that can be consciously

sensed or experienced

• Examples: Adherence, Self-Esteem,

Hope, Social Support, Courage, Book

Concepts

• A concept has properties

(For example, the properties of a “book”)

• There are feelings, values and attitudes

associated with the word and with the

perception of the thing

Concrete to Abstract Concepts

• Directly Observable

• Height, weight, temperature

• Indirectly Observable

• Hemoglobin level, cardiovascular fitness

• Inferred from Multiple Direct and Indirect

observations

• Self-Esteem, self-efficacy, wellness

Example of Concepts of Concern to Nursing

• Coping

• Hope

• Loss

• Social Support

• Anxiety

• Fatigue

• Uncertainty in Illness

• Self-Efficacy

• Courage

• Resilience

• Grief

• Pain

• Therapeutic Touch

• Families

• Self-Care

Concepts are Dynamic

• The definition and description of a concept will vary from one theorist to another

• The definition, description and meaning of a concept may change over time (Example: “Family” 1950 vs. 2006)

• The concept label may change (Example: “Compliance” vs. “Adherence”

Theory

• Concepts are the building blocks of a theory

• A theory is a set of interrelated concepts,

definitions, and relational statements and,

• Presents a systematic view of essential

elements in a field of inquiry by specifying

relationships among variables

• Theories are dynamic

Promoting Wellness for Women with MS Stuifbergen, Becker, Rogers, Timmerman, & Kullberg (1999)

The Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 31 (2), 73-79.

Perceived Health

and Well-Being

Barriers

Resources

Self-

Efficacy

Health

Promoting

Behaviors

Antecedents Health Behaviors Outcomes

Alexa Stuifbergen PhD, RN, FAAN

The Purpose of Theories

• To guide practice, research, and

education

• Provides a language for talking about

the nature of nursing practice

• Enhances communication

Relational Statements (Also Called Propositions)

• Relational statements describe how one

concept is related to another concept

• Found in the theoretical literature

• According to Bandura (1997), self-

efficacy is the most predictive factor of

perseverance in a new behavior

Relational Statements can also be Found in Research Studies

• There is an inverse relationship

between level of disability and self-

esteem.

• There is a positive relationship between

self-efficacy and adherence to wellness

behaviors in non-insulin-dependent

diabetics.

Levels of Theory

• Descriptive

• Explanatory

• Predictive

Descriptive Theory

• Beginning description in a new area of

interest

• Describes two or more concepts

• Does not specify exactly how concepts

are related

• Qualitative research often is used to

develop new knowledge

Explanatory Theory

• Explains specific relationships

between concepts (positive or inverse)

• There is a positive relationship between problem-focused coping and well being

(Lazarus & Folkman, 1984)

• There is an inverse relationship between level of disability and self-efficacy (Fraser, 2005)

Predictive Theory

• Predicts relationships between concepts

• Well developed theory

• Researched extensively

• Self-efficacy is the most predictive

factor of perseverance in a new

behavior (Bandura, 1997)

Models in the Nursing Literature

Sense of Belonging Hagerty, Lynch-Sauer, Patusky, Bouwsema, and Collier (1992)

1. Energy for involvement 2. Desire for meaningful involvement 3. Potential for shared or complimentary characteristics

1. Valued involvement 2. Fit

1. Involvement 2. Attribution of meaningfulness 3. Foundation for emotional and behavioral responses

Antecedents Sense of Belonging Consequences

Model of Perceived Uncertainty in Illness

(Mishel, 1988)

Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model