Theory Development: Categorization Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What are the three main purposes for Theories to develop?

Constructs and concepts are identified 2) Relationships proposed 3) Predictions are made to describe, explain, and prescribe practice and research

Define Theory Development.

The processes and methods used to create, modify, refine theory.

Define Theory Construction.

Describes one of the final steps of theory development in which the components of the theory are organized and linkages specified.

What does theory development result in?

Theoretical statements that can be tested empirically. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main ways to categorize theory?

1.Scope or level of abstraction 2.Purpose of theory 3.Source or discipline. Signup and view all the answers

What are the levels of abstraction in categorization of theories?

Metatheory, grand theories, middle range theories, and practice theories. Signup and view all the answers

Which theory is most abstract? Least abstract?

Metatheory = Most abstract Practice theory = Least abstract Signup and view all the answers

Define Metatheory and give an example.

Generating knowledge and debating broad issues related to the nature of theories, types of theory needed, and suitable criteria for theory evolution. Example: philosophy of nursing. Signup and view all the answers

Define Grand Theory and give an example.

Abstract concepts with no operation defined that describe the human experience and response. Example: Roy's theory focused on nurse-client relationships. Signup and view all the answers

Define Middle Range Theory and give an example.

Contain fewer concepts and are limited in scope, providing the gap between grand theory and practice theory. Example: pain and symptom management. Signup and view all the answers

Define Practice Theory and give an example.

Derived from middle range theories, it can explain prescriptions or modalities for practice. Example: cancer pain relief. Signup and view all the answers

How are the four levels in abstract categorization linked (cause and effect)?

1.Metatheory clarifies grand nursing theories 2.Grand Theory guides middle range theories 3.Middle range theories directs practice theories 4.Practice theories tests in practice. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four levels of categorization based on purpose?

Descriptive theories, explanatory theories, predictive theories, and prescriptive theories. Signup and view all the answers

What does descriptive theory accomplish? What do they lack?

They describe, observe, name concepts, properties, and dimensions but do not indicate how one change affects others. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of descriptive theories? Describe them.

1.Naming theories: describe characteristics of phenomena. 2.Classification theories: describe interrelated characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What type of research techniques are used in descriptive theories?

Techniques include concept analysis, literature review, surveys, ethnography, grounded theory, historical inquiry. Signup and view all the answers

What does explanatory theory describe?

How and why concepts relate to each other, causality correlations, and rules regulating interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What type of research techniques does explanatory theory use?

Data gathered by observation or self-report instruments, yielding qualitative/quantitative data. Signup and view all the answers

What do predictive theories describe?

Describe precise relationships between concepts and future outcomes based on manipulation of phenomena. Signup and view all the answers

Which research techniques does predictive theory use?

Pretest-posttest, quasi-experiments, true experiments. Signup and view all the answers

Define prescriptive theories.

Prescribe activities necessary to reach goals, nursing therapeutics, and predict consequences of interventions. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 components of prescriptive theory?

1.Specified goals or outcomes 2.Explicit activities to meet goals 3.Survey list articulating the conceptual basis of the theory. Signup and view all the answers

Describe categorization based on discipline.

Theories categorized based on disciplines or sources of origin that can have shared theories from other disciplines. Signup and view all the answers

What are the defined disciplines?

Sociological sciences, behavioral sciences, biomedical sciences, administration and management sciences, and learning theories. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Theory Development Overview

Theory development involves processes to create, modify, and refine theoretical frameworks.
Primary purposes include identifying constructs, proposing relationships, and making predictions for practice and research.

Components of Theory

Theory Construction: Involves organizing components and specifying linkages within a theory.
Results in theoretical statements that can be empirically tested.

Theory Categorization

Three main categorization methods:
- Scope or level of abstraction
- Purpose of theory
- Source or discipline

Levels of Abstraction

Metatheory: Most abstract, debates broad issues regarding the nature of theories. Example: philosophy of nursing.
Grand Theory: Abstract concepts that describe human experience, with no defined operations. Example: Roy's theory on nurse-client relationships.
Middle Range Theory: Fewer concepts connecting grand theories to practice theories. Example: pain management strategies.
Practice Theory: Derived from middle range theories, it specifies goals and interventions in practice. Example: cancer pain relief methods.

Linking Levels of Abstraction

Each level contributes to understanding and directing nursing discipline:
- Metatheory informs grand theories.
- Grand theories guide middle range theories.
- Middle range theories shape practice theories.
- Practice theories test middle range theories in real-world settings.

Categorization by Purpose

Four types of theories based on purpose:
- Descriptive Theories: Describe and name concepts but do not explain relationships.
- Explanatory Theories: Clarify how and why concepts relate and establish causal connections.
- Predictive Theories: Detail relationships between concepts and future outcomes through manipulation.
- Prescriptive Theories: Outline necessary activities to achieve goals and predict intervention consequences.

Research Techniques

Descriptive Theories: Use techniques like concept analysis, surveys, and ethnography.
Explanatory Theories: Rely on qualitative and quantitative data from observations and self-reports.
Predictive Theories: Use experimental designs such as pretest-posttest and true experiments.

Prescriptive Theory Components

Comprised of specified goals, explicit activities to achieve those goals, and a conceptual basis for the theory.

Discipline-Based Categorization

Theories are categorized according to their disciplinary origins:
- Sociological sciences, behavioral sciences, biomedical sciences, management sciences, and learning theories.
Shared theories may span across different disciplines.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of theory development with these flashcards. Learn about the purposes, processes, and methods involved in constructing and refining theories. Perfect for students and practitioners looking to deepen their understanding of theoretical frameworks.