Chapter 5
Theory, Research, and
Evidence-Based Practice
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Sources of Knowledge
• Traditional—passed down from generation to generation
• Authoritative—comes from an expert
• Scientific—arrived at through the scientific method
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Types of Knowledge
• Science—knowledge in and of nursing
• Philosophy—the study of wisdom
• Process—conceptual frameworks and theories
• Historical influences—Florence Nightingale, societal
changes
• Societal influences—schools of nursing
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Framework of Nursing Theory
• Theory: group of concepts that describe a pattern of
reality
– Can be tested, changed, or used to guide research
• Concepts: abstract impressions organized into symbols of
reality
– Conceptual framework or model
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Types of Reasoning
• Deductive reasoning—examines general ideas and
considers specific actions or ideas
• Inductive reasoning—builds from specific ideas or actions
to conclusions about general ideas
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Interdisciplinary Base for Nursing
Theories
• General systems theory—theory for universal application
• Adaptation theory—adjustment of living matter to other
living things and environment
• Developmental theory—orderly and predictable growth
and development
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Benefits of Nursing Theory
• Directs nurses toward common goal
• Leads to improved patient care
• Provides rational and knowledgeable reasons for nursing
actions
• Gives nurses knowledge base necessary for appropriate
actions
• Helps resolve current nursing issues
• Prepares nurses to question assumptions and values
• Serves research, education, and practice
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Goal of Theoretical Frameworks
• Holistic patient care
• Individualized care to meet needs of patients
• Promotion of health
• Prevention or treatment of illness
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Common Concepts in Nursing Theories
• Person (patient)
• Environment
• Health
• Nursing
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The Most Important Concept of Nursing
Theory–the Person
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Goals of Research
• Develop explanations (in theories)
• Find solutions to problems
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Goals of Nursing Research
• Improve care of people in clinical setting
• Study people and the nursing process
– Education
– Policy development
– Ethics
– Nursing history
• Develop greater autonomy and strength as a profession
• Provide evidence-based nursing practice
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Methods of Nursing Research
• Quantitative
– Involves concepts of basic and applied research
• Qualitative
– Conducted to gain insight by discovering meanings
– Based on belief that reality is based on various and
differing perceptions
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Types of Quantitative Research
• Descriptive
• Correlational
• Quasi-experimental
• Experimental
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Qualitative Research Methods
• Phenomenology
• Grounded theory
• Ethnography
• Historical
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Steps of Quantitative Research
• State the research problem
• Define purpose of the study
• Review related literature
• Formulate hypotheses and variables
• Select research design
• Select population and sample
• Collect data
• Analyze data
• Communicate findings and conclusions
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Terms in Quantitative Research
• Variable
– Dependent variable
– Independent variable
• Hypothesis
• Data
• Instruments
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Protecting Rights of Research Subjects
• Informed consent
• Federal regulations
• Review boards
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Impediments to Nursing Research
• Restricted access to resources
• Limited time to participate in research
• Lack of educational preparation
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Components of a Research Journal
• Abstract
• Introduction
• Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• References
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Question
Tell whether the following statement is true or false.
Traditional and authoritative knowledge are practical to
implement, but are often based on subjective data,
limiting their usefulness in a wide variety of settings.
A. True
B. False
Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Answer
Answer: A. True
Traditional and authoritative knowledge are practical to
implement, but are often based on subjective data,
limiting their usefulness in a wide variety of settings.
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Question
Which of the following is a series of actions, changes, or
functions intended to bring about a desired result?
A. Process
B. Science
C. Philosophy
D. Theory
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Answer
Answer: A. Process
Rationale:
A process is a series of actions, changes, or functions to
bring about a desired result taking systematic steps.
A science implies a body of knowledge.
A philosophy is the study of wisdom, fundamental
knowledge, and the processes used to develop a
perception of life.
A theory is composed of a group of concepts that
describe a pattern of reality.
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Question
Tell whether the following statement is true or false.
A nurse who tests a nursing theory by examining the
theory itself and then considering the specific actions or
ideas is using deductive reasoning.
A. True
B. False
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Answer
Answer: A. True
A nurse who tests a nursing theory by examining the
theory itself and then considering the specific actions or
ideas is using deductive reasoning.
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Question
Which of the following is the central theme in theoretical
frameworks of nursing?
A. The person receiving the care
B. The healthcare environment
C. The nursing plan of care
D. The person providing the care
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Answer
Answer: A. The person receiving the care
Rationale: Theoretical frameworks of nursing provide a
focus for nursing care activities. The person receiving
care is the central theme, but the way each theorist
defines that person, the environment, health, and
nursing gives a unique focus specific to a particular
theory.
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Question
Tell whether the following statement is true or false.
The basis of phenomenology is the discovery of how
people describe their own reality and how their beliefs
are related to their actions in a social scene.
A. True
B. False
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Answer
Answer: B. False
The basis of grounded theory is the discovery of how
people describe their own reality and how their beliefs
are related to their actions in a social scene.
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