Analysis and Evaluation of Frameworks and Theories

DQ WK 6 – Framework/Theory Analysis and Evaluation

The theoretical analysis evaluates the researcher's concepts to connect information from the literature to the existing theories that guide the study. Theoretical analysis entails the objective investigation and systemic examination of how the principles of any theory are used in any research study to obtain their meaning, usefulness, logical adequacy, parsimony, generalizability, and testability (McEwen & Wills, 2019). Concept evaluation is the process of systematically examining theory. Theory evaluation does not generate new information outside the study's controlled area (McEwen & Wills, 2019). It also recognizes a degree of usefulness to guide practice, research, education and administration. 

The first definition of stress was given by Han Selye, the physician conducting experiments on the rats. He said that stress is the physiologic and vague disorder of reaction to injury when a living thing is put to poisonous specialists (Stubin, 2017). Stress is especially significant in life, and it will ever be present, and it is not always negative and should not necessarily result in harm to a person.  What establishes whether the stress is positive or negative is how effective a person going through the stress can manage the stress (Arnold, 2020). In this analysis and evaluation of theories, two theories that apply to my proposed study are Margaret A. Newman’s systems model and Jean Watson’s human caring theory. 

Margaret A. Newman’s Systems model

 

Newman’s theory deals with a person’s response to stress. Hence the application of stress theories is essential to nursing, and nurses use them as a framework for research (McEwen & Wills, 2019). This application of the stress theory of nursing offers a framework for the nurse to evaluate the effects of stress, both physical and psychological uses on coping methods (McEwen & Wills, 2019).

Usefulness: Newman’s model is used broadly in nursing education and practice (McEwen & Wills, 2019). Newman’s model is crucial because it predicts interventions' outcomes to strengthen the lines of defense against stress and the focus on prevention as intervention (McEwen & Wills, 2019).

 

Logical adequacy: The concepts are structured rationally.

 

Generalizability: Newman defined five interacting variables; physiologic, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual; these five variables function to attain, maintain, retain system stability (McEwen & Wills, 2019).

 

Testability: Newman’s model, even though it is not testable entirely, it gives rise to directional hypotheses that are testable in research. Therefore, the model is used as a conceptual framework extensively in a nursing research study (McEwen & Wills, 2019).

 

Miserliness:  The model is not considered parsimonious because it is extraordinarily complex, with many parts that function in multiple ways. The model parts description can be confusing. However, the definitions are well developed in the latest edition of the model, and the assumptions are well organized (McEwen & Wills, 2019).

 

Jean Watson Theory of Care:

According to Jean Watson, caring can be effectively demonstrated and practiced only interpersonally. Caring satisfy human needs and promotes the health of an individual, family, and the entire community. The nurses have to make the decision and also evaluate and manage their stress.

Usefulness: Jean Watson’s theory of human caring is appropriate for the nurse’s behavior 

 manifestation in stress and caring phenomena because the nurses are basically stressed and exhausted. Thereby, they are not able to give quality care to their patient. Nurses need to genuinely explore their feelings to interact with others, understanding that they are emotional (McEwen & Wills, 2019). 

 

Logical adequacy: The concepts are structured rationally.

Generalizability: A summary can be made with Jean Watson’s application

 

Testability: The research theory application is testable and used in some analytical research.

 

Miserliness:  There were many concepts used by Jean Watson, so Jean Watson is not frugal because of its many concepts.

Therefore, Jean Watson’s human caring theory, using a holistic approach to providing care for the patients while caring for oneself is an essential aspect of selflessness. Moreover, mindfulness in caring (Sitzman & Watson, 2018).

References

Arnold, T.C., (2020). An evolutionary concept analysis of secondary traumatic stress in nurses. In Nursing Forum. Vol. 55, 2 (149-156).  https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12409

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

Health

Laureate Education (Producer). (2014f). Theoretical foundation for research [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Sitzman, K., & Watson, J. (2018). Caring Science, Mindful Practice. Springer publishing. DOI: 

 

10.1891/9780826135568 

Stubin, C.A. (2017). Emotional strain: a concept analysis for nursing.  International Journal for Human Caring. Vol 21 Iss 2(59-65).  http://hdl.handle.net/10755/623827

 

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