Concept identification and definition

Mariana,

The objective of the definition of a concept is to provide meaning to an idea that promotes understanding, communication, consistency of use, clarity, and structure (Gray et al., 2017; Walker & Avant, 2019). I don’t see a definition of motivation in your posting. A definition needs to promote understanding, communication, use, clarity, and structure.  Can you propose a definition that meets these requirements?

 

Concepts need to be defined so that the research design is appropriate and measurement tools are valid and align with the concept and design (Cronin et al., 2010). Defining concepts allows us to see the concept and its function within a theory allowing us the ability to understand precisely what is described, explained, or predicted (Walker & Avant, 2019). As you can see, the definition of the concept is critically important and key to the entire research process.

 

Dr. Donna Hathaway (Laureate Education, 2014) emphasized that concepts are narrower in focus. During the process of concept definition, Dr. Hathaway stressed that the focus should be on the concept not the context and that exploration should take place outside the field of nursing. I think you might be focusing too much on context – nursing and nurse leaders.

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Cronin, P., Ryan, F., & Coughlan, M. (2010). Concept analysis in healthcare research. International Journal of Therapy & Rehabilitation, 17(2), 62–68.

Gray, J. R., Grove, S. K., & Sutherland, S. (2017). Burns and Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (8th ed.).

Saunders Elsevier.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2014). Concepts [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

 McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2019). Theoretical basis for nursing (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health.

Walker, L. O., & Avant, K. C. (2019). Strategies for theory construction in nursing (6th ed.). Prentice Hall.