Chapter 6
Developing a Theoretical or
Conceptual Context
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Theory
An abstraction that purports to account
for or explain phenomena
• Classical theory—An abstract
generalization that systematically explains
relationships among phenomena
• Descriptive theory—A theory that
thoroughly describes a phenomenon, based
on rich observations of it
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Theory (cont’d)
• Grand theory—A theory that attempts
to explain large aspects of human
experience
• Middle-range theory—A theory that
focuses on a specific aspect of human
experience
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Conceptual Models
• Deal with abstractions, assembled in a
coherent scheme
• Represent a less formal attempt than
theories to explain phenomena
• Do not have formal propositions about
relationships among phenomena
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Framework
• Theoretical framework (based on
theory)
• Conceptual framework (based on a
conceptual model)
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Commonalities Between Theories and
Conceptual Models
• Use concepts as building blocks
• Require conceptual definitions of key
concepts
• Can be depicted in a schematic model
• Are created by humans
• Are developed inductively
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Commonalities Between Theories and
Conceptual Models (cont’d)
• Cannot be proven—they are supported
to greater or lesser degrees
• Can be used to generate hypotheses
• Can serve as a stimulus to research
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5-Step Process for Developing Conceptual
Definitions
1. Develop a preliminary definition
2. Do an in-depth literature review
3. Identify exemplary cases
4. Map the concept’s meaning
5. State the revised conceptual
definition
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Conceptual Models of Nursing
Formal explanations of what nursing practice is
Four concepts central to models of nursing:
• Person
• Environment
• Health
• Nursing
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Conceptual Models Used Frequently by
Nurse Researchers
Conceptual models of nursing:
• Roy’s Adaptation Model
• Orem’s Self-Care Model
Other models developed by nurses:
• Pender’s Health Promotion Model (HPM)
• Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Theory
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Conceptual Models of Nursing Used by
Nurse Researchers
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Examples of Non-Nursing Models by Nurse
Researchers
• Becker’s Health Belief Model (HBM)
• Lazarus and Folkman’s Theory of Stress
and Coping
• Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory
• Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)
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The Use of Theories or Models in
Quantitative Research
• Testing a theory
• Testing two competing theories
• Using a theory/model as an organizing
structure
• Fitting a problem into theory
• Developing an original theory/model
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Theories in Qualitative Research
• Substantive theory—conceptualizations of the
target phenomena
• Theory embedded in a research tradition
 Grounded theory (symbolic
interactionism)
 Ethnography (cultural theories: ideational
and materialistic)
 Phenomenology (phenomenological theory
of human experience)
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Examples of Questions to Assess a
Model or Theory
• Clarity: Are key concepts defined? Are
definitions clear?
• Complexity: Is the theory sufficiently
rich? Overly complex?
• Grounding: Is there an empirical basis for
the theory?
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Examples of Questions to Assess a Model
or Theory (cont’d)
• Appropriateness: Are key concepts within
the domain of nursing?
• Importance: Will testing the theory
contribute to nursing’s evidence base?
• Competition: Are there theories that
better explain the key phenomenon?
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