THEORY

THEORY – is a group of related concepts that propose actions that guide practice
- is an organized system of accepted knowledge that is composed of concepts,
propositions, definitions, and assumptions intended to explain a set of facts, events and
phenomena
- is a creative and rigorous structuring of ideas that projects a tentative purposeful and
systematic view of phenomena
DIAGRAM THAT EXPLAINS THE RELATIONSHIPS OF
CONCEPTS, PROPOSITIONS, ASSUMPTIONS AND
DEFINITIONS WITH THEORY AND PHENOMENA
 HOW OTHER AUTHORS DEFINE THEORY
Parker (2001) A theory, by traditional definition is an organized, coherent set of concepts and their
relationship to each other that offers descriptions, explanations and predictions
Potter (2004) A theory is a set of concepts, definitions , relationships and assumptions that project a
systematic view of phenomena
Blackwell (2005) It is a reasoned proposed explanation of an occurrence, or of something that will occur
or be produced, for which absolute proof is lacking
Delaune and A theory is a set concepts and propositions that provide an early way to view phenomena
Ladner (2006)
Mosby (2006) It is an abstract statement formulated to predict, explain or describe the relationships
among concepts, constructs or events. It is tested by observation and research using
factual data

Kozier (2008) A theory is a supposition or system of ideas that is proposed to explain a given
phenomenon
 NURSING THEORY
Nursing Theory – is a group of interrelated concepts that are developed from various studies of
disciplines and related experiences
- aims to view the essence of nursing care
- provide foundation of nursing knowledge and gives direction to nursing
practice
- Meleis (1991) – an articulated and communicated conceptualization of
invented or discovered reality (central phenomena and relationships) in or pertaining
to nursing for the purpose of describing, explaining, predicting or prescribing nursing
care (states the importance of expressing nursing theory in providing direction to
nursing care )
- Barnum (1994) – stated that a complete nursing theory is one that has
context, content and process
 COMPONENTS OF A THEORY
Context Resembles environment to which nursing act takes place
Content Subject of the theory
Process Method by which nurse acts in using nursing theory
 NURSING
 Nursing is the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health
problems (American Nursing Association [ANA])
 Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families,
groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion
health, prevention of illness and the care of ill, disabled and dying people
 Advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, participation in shaping health policy
and in patient and health systems management, and education are also key nursing roles
 Nursing is to assist clients in the performance of activities contributing to health, its recovery
or peaceful death that clients will perform unaided, if they had the necessary will, strength or
knowledge (Henderson)
 Nursing is a dynamic discipline. It is an art and a science of caring for individuals, families,
groups and communities geared toward promotion and restoration of health, prevention of
illness, alleviation of suffering and assisting clients to face death with dignity and peace. It is
focused on assisting the client as he or she responds to health-illness situations utilizing the
nursing process and guided by ethico-legal moral principles (Association of Deans of
Philippine Colleges of Nursing [ADPCN])
 Focused in supporting communities , families and individuals in maintaining , restoring or
achieving a state of optimum health and functioning. It is both a science and an art that is
concerned with the quality of life as defined by the clients
 METAPARADIGMS
A metaparadigm is the most abstract view of a discipline, it consists of concepts that define that
discipline
In nursing, the most common metaparadigm concepts are human beings, environment, health,
and nursing
Because it has a metaparadigm, nursing is accurately classified as a discipline, or “a distinct way
of viewing all phenomena
 NURSING PARADIGMS
 Nursing Paradigms – are patterns or models used to show a clear relationship among the
existing theoretical works in nursing
At present many theories in nursing are focused on relationships among four major concepts
1. Person – the recipient of nursing care like individuals, families and communities
2. Environment – the external and internal aspects of life that influence the person
3. Health – the holistic level of wellness that the person experiences
4. Nursing – the interventions of the nurse rendering care in support of, or in cooperation
with the client
The nursing Metaparadigm embodies the knowledge base, theory, philosophy, research,
practice, and educational experience and literature identified with the profession
Metaparadigm is the highest level of knowledge
Person
Person (also referred to as Client or Human Beings) is the recipient of nursing care and may include individuals, patients,
groups, families, and communities.
Environment
Environment (or situation) is defined as the internal and external surroundings that affect the client. It includes all positive or
negative conditions that affect the patient, the physical environment, such as families, friends, and significant others, and the
setting for where they go for their healthcare.
Health
Health is defined as the degree of wellness or well-being that the client experiences. It may have different meanings for each
patient, the clinical setting, and the health care provider.
Nursing
The nurse’s attributes, characteristics, and actions provide care on behalf of or in conjunction with the client. There are
numerous definitions of nursing, though nursing scholars may have difficulty agreeing on its exact definition. The ultimate
goal of nursing theories is to improve patient care.
THE METAPARADIGM OF NURSING
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF THEORIES
CLASSIFICATION OF NURSING THEORIES ACCORDING TO FUNCTION

Descriptive To know the properties and workings of a discipline

Explanatory To examine how properties relate and thus affect the discipline
Predictive To calculate relationships between properties and how they occur
Prescriptive To identify under which conditions relationships occur
 Descriptive Theory (Factor-Isolating Theories) – primary level of theory development
- they identify and describe major concepts of phenomena
- they do not explain the relationships of the concepts
- the main purpose is to present a phenomena based on the five senses together with their
corresponding meaning
- example: A descriptive research about the Filipino nursing practices like use of herbal
medicines and other alternative forms of treatment
 Explanatory Theory (Factor-Relating Theories) – type of theory that present relationship
among concepts and propositions
- aim to provide information on how or why concepts are related
- cause and effect relationship are well explained
- example: A research study about the factors affecting newborns in failing to thrive
 Predictive Theories (Situation-Related Theories)
- are achieved when the relationships of concepts under a certain condition are able to
describe future outcomes consistently
- this kind of theory is generated and tested using experimental research
- example: A theoretical model based on the observation of the effects of unsanitary
environmental condition on the recovery of the post-operative patients
 Prescriptive Theories (Situation-Producing Theories)
- deals with nursing actions and test the validity and certainty of a specific nursing
interventions
- this kind of theory is commonly used in testing new nursing interventions
- example: Laurente’s (1996) theory validates and explains the different nursing
management in the emergency room in relieving anxiety among its clients
 CHARACTERISTICS OF A THEORY
Theories can correlate concepts in such a way as to generate a different way of looking at a
certain fact or phenomenon
Theories must be logical
Theories should be simple but generally broad in nature
Theories can be the source of hypotheses that can be tested for it to be elaborated
Theories contribute in enriching the general body of knowledge through the studies
implemented to validate them
Theories can be used by practitioners to direct and enhance their practice
Theories must be consistent with other validated theories, laws and principles but will leave
open unanswered issues that need to be tested
 PHILOSOPHY IN NURSING
Philosophy – is the next knowledge level after metaparadigm
- it specifies the definition of metaparadigm concepts in each of the conceptual models of
nursing
- it sets forth the meaning of phenomena through analysis, reasoning and logical argument
 Philosophies have contributed to the knowledge development in nursing by forming a basis
for subsequent developments especially in area of human science
 CONCEPTS
Concept – is an idea or complex mental image of a phenomenon (object, property or event)
- enhances one’s capacity to understand phenomena as it help define the meaning of a word
- it can come from an empirical phenomenon or any abstraction of how a person perceived
an object that is not physically present or observed (charity, caring, patience)
- the building blocks of theories
 TWO TYPES OF CONCEPTS
Abstract concepts – are indirectly observe or intangible. It is independent of time

Concrete concepts – are directly observed or tangible

Types of definitions of concepts:
Concepts can be used in making or formulating or an operational definition
Conceptual definitions – are the meaning of a word based on how a certain theory or
relevant literature perceives it to be
Operational definitions – are meaning of a word on the method of how it was measured or
how the person come up with that perception
 CONCEPTUAL MODELS AND
THEORETICAL MODELS
Theoretical models or frameworks – are highly established set of concepts that are testable

Conceptual models or frameworks - are representations of an idea or body of knowledge based

on the own understanding or perception of a person or researcher on a certain topic,
phenomena or theory
- this consists of concepts that are placed within a logical and sequential design
- they can be represented thru a diagram or in narrative form which shows how concepts are
interrelated
EXAMPLE OF A THEORETICAL MODEL
EXAMPLE OF CONCEPTUAL MODEL

Physical Fitness Lowered Blood

Person
Exercise Pressure
 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK VS.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
CONCEPTUAL
It is a structure of concepts or
theories which are pulled
together as a map for the study
THEORETICAL
It is a structure of concepts which
exist or tested in the literature,
a ready-made map for the study
 TYPES OF DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS
CONCEPTUAL
Comparable to definition from a literature
such as dictionary, encyclopaedia, and journals concept will be determined and assess it also
Example 1:
The time during which a person is a registered
patient in a certain hospital
Example 2:
To walk from one place to another or move
about
OPERATIONAL
Specifies exactly how the concepts how the
identifies procedures and operations
significant to determine concepts
Hospital Stay
The total of days as patient, beginning with
admission day and finishing with discharge
Ambulation
Taking 4 steps without assistance
 SCIENCE
- Latin scientia meaning “knowledge“
- refers to any systematic knowledge or practice in a discipline of study
- refers to a system of acquiring knowledge based on the scientific method
- organized body of knowledge gained through research
 SCIENTIFIC METHODS
STEPS
1. Observation
Ask question about something
that you observe: how, what,
who, which, why or where
2. Gathering Information Data
3. Forming Hypothesis
4. Experimental Investigation
5. Conclusion or Theoretical
Explanation
SCIENTIFIC METHODS EXAMPLE
Integration of knowledge and/or Ava, a nurse-researcher observes
phenomenon by a rational a certain nursing phenomena
/sentient being
Recognition and collecting data
for a particular scientific problem
or inquiry
An attempt to explain or suggest
a nature of a phenomenon
A set of examinations done to
solve the particular query raised
through the hypothesis process
A statement explaining a set of
natural phenomena or a scientific
query derived fro Experimental
Investigation