_MEANING OF THEORY i word theoria (meanin, ; wed theory comes from the Gree La, Ho, fiery aunber of distinct meanings in different fields of kni 1e, dey en they, ry cussion. The classical meaning of these San Tetfocdoiogy and the context oF discussio : a ee rkich explains how two diffrent concepts ae interrelated ana eae vediction about two or more related concepts. This isa tradi "S Por aca inast of the traditional theories provide the explanation and ceed eae aoe eee ore related concepts. However, the use of term theory in restrictive qi fois toa broad characterization, which can thoroughly describe a single phenome theories are commonly known as descriptive theories. Sometimes, descriptive thorn become the foundation for the generation of predictive and explanatory theories ‘Theory isa set of interrelated concepts that provide a systematic view of phenon, Itprovides a foundation and structure that may be used for the purpose of explaining dicting another phenomenon. pe ‘theory is defined as an integral set of concepts and statements presenting a view Phenomenon that can be used to describe, explain, predict, and control that phenome In other words, theory isa set of concepts and propositions that provide an orderly way view a phenomenon. AA theory is a set of interrelated construct (concepts), definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of phenomenon by specifying relations among variables with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomenon. Kelinger, 197) \ a theory isa statement that purports to account for or characterize some phenomenon and tat pulls out the salient parts of phenomenon so that one can separate the critical and necessary fe tors or relationships from the accidental or unessential factors or relationships. (Barsun, 1999 ” Seanied with CammScannerHEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS ————— ‘k is a brief explanation of th A framework is : of theory or those portions of a theory that are to be tested in a quantitative study. Theoretical and conceptual frameworks are commonly used in uantitative research studies, which help to organize the study and provide a context for the interpretation of the study results. The terms theoretical and conceptual frameworks are used interchangeably, but actually they are different. Theoretical Framework ‘The theoretical framework is a collection of interrelated concepts that depict a piece of the- ory to be examined as the basis from research studies. It is the foundation that guides the research. It presents a broad, general explanation of the relationship between the concepts of the research study, based on an existing theory. To construct a theoretical framework, an existing theory is used to establish the relationship between the study concepts. For example, a research is conducted on the topic ‘A study on adaptation of patients with chronic pain’. Here, the researcher may develop a theoretical framework to establish the relationship be- tween study concepts using Roy’s Adaptation Model. An example of theoretical framework has been presented below where a single middle-range theory ‘Epidemiological Triad’ is used to develop a theoretical framework for the study. care for patients with external skeletal fixa~ tion at Nehru Hospital, PGIMER, Chandi- gath’ (SK Sharma, 2005). This framework was developed for research problem ‘A descriptive study on prevalence of pin-site infection and practices of pin-site Scanned with CamScannerConceptual Framework It presents logically constructed concepts to provide among the concepts of the research study, without using a single existing theory. Concep- tual frameworks are usually constructed by using researcher’s own experiences, previous research findings, or concepts of several theories or models, general explanation of the relationship + Conceptual framework = Concept + framework, meaning knitting the concepts in a frame to have meaningful information. * Concept is a word picture or mental idea of a phenomenon; it is an image or symbolic rep- resentation of an abstract idea. Chinn and Kramer (1999) defined a concept as a “complex mental formulation of experience”, for example, stress, anxiety, pain, ot love, ete. Concepts are the building blocks for a conceptual framework or a theory. * Miles and Huberman (1994) defined the conceptual framework as a “written or visual presentation that explains the main things to be studied in either graphically or narrative form—the key factors, concepts, or variables and the presumed relationship among them’, Scanned with CamScannerThe conceptual framework indicates how the research views the concepts involved in study—especially the relationships among concepts. Conceptual framework presents logically constructed concepts to provide a general expla. nation of the relationship among the concepts of the research study. The conceptual framework presents meaningful relationships among concepts. . An example of conceptual model is presented here, where concepts from Swanson’s Theory of Caring and Roy's Adaptation Model are used to develop the conceptual framework for the study. This model was developed for research prob- lem ‘A descriptive study on level of patient (1991) defined caring as a nurturing way of satisfaction with nursing care in Nehru Hos- _ relating toa valued other, towards whom one pital, PGIMER, Chandigarh’ (Kausal, 2005). _feels a personal sense of commitment and re- This conceptual framework was based on sponsibility. Swanson’s Theory of Caring and Roy’s Ad- aptation Model, as depicted in Fig. 6.2. Scanned with CamScannerSpry of theories are as follows: nature of theaties.° X Theories are created: Theories are not discovered but the scientists with creative and intel- Iectual ability can create or invent the theories. The theory creation depends on the avail- ability of facts, evidences and a scientist's ability to knit the facts and evidences together to make a meaningful sense of them. Theories are basis of understanding and predicting the phenomena: A summarization of theories not only guide a researcher to understand some phenomena but also helps in predicting phenomena under study. Scope of revision: A theory developed in today’s context may be revised tomorrow, based on needs and perspectives of that particular time. Therefore, theories are tentative in nature and based on the changes in the concept over the time they may be revised. Theory and research are reciprocal and mutually beneficial: The observed facts of the research provide the foundation for development of theories; and theories provide the logically related concepts to develop a research question, hypothesis and research methodology. Therefore, theory and research are reciprocal to each other. Theories are developed and tested through research: The theories are developed through quali- tative research or evidences generated by the research, and theories provide the basis for the hypothesis and they are tested through quantitative research. Theories are foundation for progression of science: Theories provide a strong foundation for the progression of a scientific discipline. The universally tested and proven theories become law, and laws are the basis for any discipline to be categorized as progressive scientific discipline. Scanned with CamScanner