Definitions of Terms

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS Theory- is a group of related concepts that proposed actions that guide practice A Theory is an organized system
of accepted knowledge that is composed of concepts, propositions, definitions and assumptions intended to explain a set of fact, event or phenomena. As defined by Chinn and Kramer (1991), a theory is a creative and rigorous structuring of ideas that projects tentative, purposeful and systemic view of phenomena. This definition tries to explain the tentativeness of a theory.
How Other Authors Define Theory : Parker (2001) A theory, by traditional definition, is an organized, coherent set of concepts and their relationship to each other that offers descriptions, explanations and prediction about phenomena A theory is a set of concepts, definitions, relationship and assumptions that project a systematic view of phenomena:. [It is] a reasoned proposed explanation of an occurrence, or of something that will occur or be produced, for which absolute proof is lacking A theory is a set concepts and propositions that provide an early way to view phenomena
Potter (2004)
Blackwell (2005)
Delaune and Ladner (2006) Mosby (2006)
[It is] an abstract statement formulated to predict, explain or describe the relationships among concepts, constructs or events, It is tested by observation and research using factual data. A theory is a supposition or system of ideas that is proposed to explain a given phenomenon,
Kozier (2008)
Theorist- the originator of a theory; a person who is concerned with theory; a theoretician Nursing theory- is a group of related concepts that derive from the nursing models. Some nursing theories also derive from other disciplines such as Leiningers work (Chapter 28), which comes from anthropology, or Peplaus work (Chapter 21), which draws from psychiatric sources. Nursing theory is a group of interrelated concepts that are developed from various studies of disciplines and related experiences. This aims to view the essence of nursing care. Theories are specifically contributed by different nursing theorists from different times and ages. For instance, in the 19th century, Florence Nightingale projected a valuable relationship between health and environmental factors like fresh air, sunlight and ventilation.
Grand theories- are nearly as broad as the nursing model they are
derived from, but they are different from nursing models. Nursing models provide a view or perspective, but they do not propose testable truths. Therefore grand theories are theories because they do propose something that is true or testable, such as Roys theory of the person as an adaptive system derived from the Roy Adaptation Model.
Middle Range theories- are the least abstract level of theoretical

knowledge because they include details specific to nursing practice. Middlerange theories include information indicating the situation or health condition, the patient population or age group, the location or area of practice, and the action of the nurse or the intervention. Middle-range theories have also been developed from themes of data in qualitative research of data in qualitative research. The range of theories is generally determined by the level of abstraction and by the content it specifies. Most of the conceptual models of nursing have a range of theories from which they have been derived
Model- is defined in several ways. Verbal models are worded statement, a form closely related to knowledge development. For example Conceptual models of nursing are word structures that provide a specific view on
nursing through interrelationship of concepts in the structure. A second form of model explains an idea by using a schema, symbols, or physical visualization. Schematic models may be diagrams, drawings, graphs, or picture that facilitate understanding
Conceptual Model- are representations of an idea or body of knowledge on

the own understanding or perceptions a person or researcher on a certain topic, phenomena or theory. Conceptual models are frameworks or paradigms that provide a broad frame of reference from systematic approaches to phenomena with which the discipline is concerned. It provide different views of nursing according to the characteristics of the model
Philosophy- is the next knowledge level; it specifies the definitions of the

metaparadigm concepts in each of the conceptual models of nursing. There are other nursing theoretical works that may be considered Philosophies; these are works that specify philosophical approaches to nursing. Nightingales work is an example of a philosophy of nursing. Theory may be formalized from these philosophies, such as the works of Watson and Benner
Meta paradigm- is the most abstract level of knowledge. It specifies the

main concepts that encompass the subject matter and the scope of a discipline. Nursing Paradigms are pattern or models used to show a clear relationship among the existing theoretical works in nursing. At present, may theories in nursing are focused on relationships among four major concepts (metaparadigms; Greek meta- with and paradeigma-pattern):
Science- is performing the processes of observation, identification,

description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena. It is also a body of knowledge; therefore science is defined as both a unified body of knowledge concerned with specific subject matter and as the processes and methodologies necessary to provide such knowledge.
Knowledge- suggests an understanding acquired through learning or

investigation of what is known about disciplines subject matter. Knowledge may be based on fact or it may be theoretical-based knowledge that is more tentative and subject to change as theory is tested and developed.
Phenomena- are the subject matter of a discipline. In the midtwentieth

century, American nurses identified their phenomena of concern as human beings and their environments. A phenomenon can be defined as sets of empirical data or experiences that can be physically observed or tangible such as crying or grimacing when in pain. It is concerned with how an individual person reacts using the human senses concerning the surrounding and assessing the different behaviours and factors that affect such behaviours.
Paradigm- is another term for conceptual framework or conceptual model.

It is a term used to denote the prevailing schema or approaches within a discipline, such as Roys Adaptation model
Concept is an idea or complex mental image of a phenomenon( object,

property, or event). Concepts are major component of theory. Basically, concepts are the building blocks of theories. It can come from an empirical phenomena or any abstraction of how a person perceived an object that is not physically present or observed like charity, caring, patience
Abstract Concepts- are independent of time or place and they are

indirectly observable. Hope is an example of an abstract concept.
Concrete Concepts- are specific time and place and are observable. A
persons features, such as eye, color, weight, or height are examples of concrete concepts.
Theoretical definitions- convey the meaning of a concept in a

particular theory by specifying the empirical indicator.
Operational definitions- specify how a concept or variable (empirical

indicator) is measured in a particular research project.
Lexical definitions- also known as the dictionary definition, is

the meaning of the term in common usage.
Assumptions- are statements that the theorist or researchers holds as

truth and excludes from measurement and testing. Assumption is a statement that specifies the relationship or connection of factual concepts or phenomena. An example is the assumption that all patients who are not able to take good care of themselves need nurses.
Propositions- are theoretical statements that specify the proposed

relationships of the concepts of a theory. Proposition statements lead to the conclusive statement of middle-range theory, which asserts what is proposed to be true and testable in the form of hypothesis. Proposition, on the other hand, explains the relationships of different concepts, An example of which are children who do not want to stay in the hospital because of their fear of injections.
Theoretical statements- (also called principles or proposition) describe

the relationship between two or more concepts.
Hypothesis- is a testable relationship statement. Research- is the application of systematic, scientific methods to study
phenomena and generate knowledge. Research may generate theory when executed with an inductive approach or it may test theory when conducted with deductive approach, Power and Knapp state that science= research + theory
Deduction- is a form of logical reasoning that is loosely described as

progressing from general to specific. This process involves a sequence of the theoretical statements derived from a conceptual model of nursing or a grand theory. Two or more relational statements are used to draw a conclusion (proposition).
Induction- is a form of reasoning that is loosely described as moving from

the specific to the general. In inductive logic, a series of particulars is combined into a larger whole, or set of things. In inductive research, particular events are observed and interpreted as basis for formulating general theoretical statements such as phenomenology or grounded theory.
Retroduction- combines induction and deduction to originate ideas. This

form of reasoning uses analogy as a method of devising theory.
Prepared by: Antonio C. Bejasa Jr. RN.

Definitions of Terms

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What are the different types of nursing theories?

What are the different types of nursing theories?

What are the differences between concepts, assumptions and propositions?

What are the differences between concepts, assumptions and propositions?

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS Theory- is a group of related concepts that proposed actions that guide practice A Theory is an organized system

Delaune and Ladner (2006) Mosby (2006)

Middle Range theories- are the least abstract level of theoretical

Conceptual Model- are representations of an idea or body of knowledge on

Philosophy- is the next knowledge level; it specifies the definitions of the

Meta paradigm- is the most abstract level of knowledge. It specifies the

Science- is performing the processes of observation, identification,

Knowledge- suggests an understanding acquired through learning or

Phenomena- are the subject matter of a discipline. In the midtwentieth

Paradigm- is another term for conceptual framework or conceptual model.

Concept is an idea or complex mental image of a phenomenon( object,

Abstract Concepts- are independent of time or place and they are

Theoretical definitions- convey the meaning of a concept in a

Operational definitions- specify how a concept or variable (empirical

Lexical definitions- also known as the dictionary definition, is

Assumptions- are statements that the theorist or researchers holds as

Propositions- are theoretical statements that specify the proposed

Theoretical statements- (also called principles or proposition) describe

Deduction- is a form of logical reasoning that is loosely described as

Induction- is a form of reasoning that is loosely described as moving from

Retroduction- combines induction and deduction to originate ideas. This

Prepared by: Antonio C. Bejasa Jr. RN.

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