Prof. Mrs. Mala.

Introduction: Research-process of inquiry Theory-product of knowledge

Research and Theory =Science

Research helps in building knowledge through the Generation of theory and/or Testing of theory To build knowledge, the research process should be developed within some theoretical structure.

Theories from Nursing and other Disciplines Nursing should form a discrete body of knowledge without using theory from other discipline

Nursing science is blend of knowledge that is unique to nursing and knowledge that is borrowed from other discipline
Debate is whether the use of borrowed theory has hindered the development of the discipline. * It has contributed to problems connecting research and theory in nursing.

Historical Overview of Research and Theory in Nursing Research and theory were first integrated in the works of Florence nightingale In Notes on Nursing, she identified the need to organize nursing knowledge through observation, recording, and statistical inferences

* Florence Nightingale supported her theoretical

propositions through research, as statistical data and prepared graphs were used to depict the impact of nursing care on the health of British soldiers.
Afterwards, for almost century reports of nursing research were rare. Research and theory developed separately in nursing

* Between 1928 and 1959 only 2 out of 152 studies reported a theoretical basis for the research design.

 In 1970s, nurse scholars encouraged researchers to provide a theoretical and conceptual framework for research studies. As a result, there was a push to combine research and nursing models. Grand nursing theories are still not used in research, rather researchers examine concepts, principles, theories from a theoretical perspectives and from other disciplines. Now the focus of research and theory have moved more towards middle range theories.

General Terms used Theories Models Frameworks Schemes and Maps

What is a Theory? Theory is an integrated set of defined concepts and statements that present a view of a phenomenon and can be used to describe, explain, predict and control that phenomenon. Theory is an abstract generalization that offers a systematic explanation about how phenomenon are interrelated.

What is a model? Models are symbolic or graphic representation of phenomena that presents certain perspectives or points of view about nature or function or both. Models may be Theoretical- not directly observable Empirical- replicas of observable reality What is a Framework? A framework is the overall conceptual underpinnings of a study or a brief explanation of a theory.

What is Conceptual model? A conceptual model is a set of interrelated concepts that symbolically represents and conveys a mental image of a phenomenon. Conceptual models, Conceptual frameworks and Conceptual schemes are used interchangeably.

Conceptual models are similar to theories however, more abstract than theories less formal attempt at organizing phenomenon than theories and loosely structured

What is Theoretical framework? In a study based on a theory, the framework is referred to as the theoretical framework.
Theoretical framework and Conceptual framework are frequently used interchangeably.

Origin of Theories Theories, conceptual frameworks and models are not discovered, they are created and invented. Theory development depends not only on facts and observable evidence, but also on the researchers ingenuity in pulling facts together and making sense of them. Thus theory construction is a creative and intellectual enterprise that can be engaged in by anyone Who is insightful Has a firm grounding in existing evidence, and has the ability to knit together observations and evidence into an intelligible pattern.

The characteristics of theories: Theories interrelate concepts in such a way as to create a different way of looking at a particular phenomenon. are logical in nature. are generalizable. are the bases for hypotheses that can be tested. increase the general body of knowledge within the discipline through the research implemented to validate them. are used by the practitioners to guide and improve their practice. are consistent with other validated theories, laws, and principles but will leave open unanswered questions that need to be investigated

Nature of Theories and Models Theories and conceptual models cannot be proved It is scientists best effort to describe and explain phenomena Todays successful theory may be discredited or revised tomorrow and this happen if new observation or evidence undermine a previously accepted theory. A new theory might integrate new observations with an existing theory to yield accurate explanation. Theories are deliberately invented by humans, they are not totally free from human values and ideals which can change over time. Theories and models are never considered final and verified.

Common concepts in theories The person The environment Health Nursing

Category:

"Needs "theories. "Interaction" theories. "Outcome "theories. "Humanistic theories" These categories indicate the basic philosophical underpinnings of the theories

What are the Elements of theory? 1.Concept: a concept is a term that abstractly describes and names the phenomenon. eg anxiety Terms related to concept: Construct and Variable Construct Concept Variables emotional response anxiety palmar sweating concrete abstract

2.Statements: Statement express claims that are important to the theory Existence statement: declares that a given relationship between concepts occur. Relational statement: declares the type of relationship that exists among variables. Conceptual map: It is a strategy for expressing a theory is a conceptual map graphically shows the interrelationship of the concepts and statements

3. Conceptual map It is developed to explain which concepts contribute to partially cause an outcome. It includes all of the major concepts in a theory The concepts are linked by arrows expressing the proposed linkages between concepts.

What is the need to link theory and research? Research without theory results in discreet information, that does not add to the accumulated knowledge of the discipline. When a research study is placed in theoretical context, the theory guides the research process, forms questions, aids in design, analysis and interpretation * enables the scientist to weave the facts together

What are the purposes of theory in Research: To identify meaningful and relevant areas for study To propose plausible approaches to health problems to examine To develop and refine theories To define concepts and proposed relationship between concepts To provide basis for predicting and controlling the occurrence of phenomena To allow researchers to knit together observations and facts into an orderly scheme. The linkage of findings into a coherent structure make the body of accumulated evidence more accessible and more useful.

 To interpret research findings meaningful and generalizable. To develop clinical practice protocols To generate nursing diagnosis based on research finding. Theories serve as a springboard for advances in knowledge and the accumulation of evidence for practice

Relationship between Theory and Research

Inductive Reasoning Deductive Reasoning

Observation/Experiment Observation/Experiment
Generalizations Predictions

Paradigm/Theory

Theory development Theories and models are built inductively from observations

Source for those observations is prior research including in-depth qualitative studies Concepts and relationships that are validated empirically through research become the foundation for theory development.
Theory Testing Theory must be tested by subjecting deductions from it (hypotheses) to further systematic inquiry.

* The relationship between theory and research is reciprocal and mutually beneficial. * Theory guides and generates ideas for research * Research assess the worth of the theory and provides a foundation for new research

Theory
Inductions Deductions

Empirical Generalizations
Analysis

Hypotheses

Operationlization

Observations of the World

What are the types of theory? Type of Theory Type of Research Descriptive Descriptive or exploratory Examples
Maternal experience of HELLP Syndrome Model Roy Adaptation model related to chronic pain
Gate control theory to reduce pain

Explanatory

Correlational

Predictive

Experimental

How theory is used in Research? It brings organization to the variables reflected in the study. It provides a guide to develop a study and Allows the findings to be placed in, or linked to a larger body of knowledge.

Theory generation via Inductive research

Theory testing via Deductive research

Formal practice

Theory generating research (Inductive) It is designed to develop and describe relationship between and among phenomena without imposing preconceived notations. It is inductive and includes, grounded theory, field observations and phenomenology During the theory generating process, the researcher moves by logical thought from fact to theory by means of a proposition stated as an empirical generalization.

Theory testing research: * In theory testing research, theoretical statements are translated into questions and hypothesis. It requires deductive reasoning process. The interpretation determines whether the study supports or contradicts the propositional statements If a conceptual model is used as a theoretical framework for research it is not theory testing Theory testing requires detailed examination of theoretical relationships.

Conclusion:

The relationship between research and theory is undeniable, and It is important to recognize the impact of this relationship on the development of nursing knowledge.
So interface theory and research by generating theories, testing the theories and by using it as a conceptual framework that drives the study.