UNDERSTANDING THEORY
Chapter 2
EXPLANATIONS
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Deductive
Probabilistic
Functional
Causal
Empathetic
Quantitative Evidence
• Is based on objective, verifiable, controlled
observations and is communicated in a precise (
unambiguous) manner.
• Objective- observations are free from bias
• Verifiable-info can be confirmed by tests conducted
by others
• Controlled observations-confounding factors are
minimized or taken into account
Qualitative Evidence
• The explanations and descriptions must ring true to
both the researcher and to the people experiencing
the phenomena.
• The evidence is based on anlaysis of documents,
and/or in-depth interviews of focus groups, or
lengthy participation in a group.
Flaws in Explanation
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Illegitimate appeal to authority
Provincialism
False dilemma
Missing data
Anecdotal evidence
Selected evidence
Unwarranted conclusions
THEORY
• A systematic vision of reality that
describes, explains, or predicts
something
• Its primary goal is to provide a
framework that links research and
practice and contributes to making
findings meaningful and generalizable
Functions Theory Provides
• a structure for interpretation of findings
• a means of imposing order on experiences
• a means for summarizing and explaining
observations from isolated studies
• a source to generate hypotheses
• a framework for guiding research
• a guide in selecting the appropriate method
• a basis to describe, explain, or predict factors
influencing nursing outcomes
Classification of Theory
• Grand Theories
• Middle- Range Theories
• Practice Theories
Levels of Theory
• Level 1 - factor-isolating, descriptive in
nature
• Level 2 - factor-relating, asks the question,
What is happening here?
• Level 3 - situation-relating, explains and
predicts how situations are related, asks
What will happen if?
• Level 4 - situation-producing, prescriptive
in nature, asks How can I make X happen?
Building Blocks of Theory
• CONCEPTS
• CONSTRUCTS
• VARIABLE
Building Blocks of Theory
• PROPOSITIONS
• HYPOTHESES
VARIABLES
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Dependent Variable
Independent Variable
Control Variable
Conditional Variable
Source of Spuriousness or (Confounding)
Variable
TESTING THEORY
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Axiomatic Derivations
Replacement of Terms
Structural Equation Modeling
Testing Alternative Explanations
Theoretical Triangulation
Points of Agreement on
Research and Theory
• Study the full range of behavior in health and illness
states
• Use the methodology appropriate to the question
asked
• Use systematic explanation
• Subject our scholarly work to peer review