1. Understanding Theory and Research Frameworks
The Pennsylvania state university college of nursing
Nursing 200w

2. What is a Theory? Ideas and knowledge of science
Research is based on theory.
Theory is the initial inspiration for research study.
Research helps answer the question “Was my theory correct?”

3. What is the Difference between a Framework and a Theory?
A framework is a brief explanation of a theory or portions of a theory to be tested in a study.
A theory is abstract rather than concrete.
It focuses on the general.
The framework may be implicit.

4. What about Conceptual Models?
These are more abstract than theories.
They explain phenomena of interest and reflect a philosophical stance.
They cannot be tested via research.
They may guide further qualitative studies.
Operational definitions are often found in these models.

5. What sources are used for Conceptual Definitions?
Existing theoretical works
Must be used if proposition from theory being tested
Always desirable when available
Should be directly quoted (if possible) and cited
Published concept analyses

6. Check Your Understanding: Question
What does a study framework reflect?
Blueprint for the study
Data analysis strategy
Researcher’s “theory” or idea about the study
Specific plan for data collection

7. Check Your Understanding: Answer
ANSWER: C
When an idea for a study first emerges, the researcher has a “theory” about what the study outcomes will be and why. As a researcher develops a plan for conducting a study, the theory on which the study is based is expressed as the study framework.

8. Sources of Conceptual Definitions
Previous studies using the concept
Publications describing instrument development
General literature
Performing a concept analysis

9. What are the Elements of a Theory?
Concepts: Abstractly describe and name an object, idea, or phenomenon, thus providing it with a separate identity or meaning
Conceptual definition: More comprehensive than a dictionary definition; includes associated meanings a word may have
Relational statement: Clarifies the type of relationship that exists between or among concepts
Map or model: Graphically shows the interrelationships of the concepts and relational statements

10. What are Middle-Range Theories?
Less abstract and narrower in scope than conceptual models
Emerge from review of studies to build evidence-based practice related to a clinical problem
More clinical and problem-focus

11. Check Your Understanding: Question
Which of the following is true about theoretical frameworks used in research?
Theories are constructed by people and are tentative in nature.
Theories offer precise guidance in all situations.
Theories represent ultimate truth.
Theories are congruent with reality.

12. Check Your Understanding: Answer
ANSWER: A
Theories are developed in nursing to explain phenomena important to clinical practice. Theories must be tested through research to determine their correctness.

13. What are Frameworks? Frameworks explain the theory.
Frameworks give relationships of variables.
This results in the hypothesis, which is testable.

14. What are Some Problems with Frameworks?
Inappropriate framework
Disconnected framework
Multiple frameworks
Unidentified framework

15. Critically Appraising a Study Framework
Concepts are linked with variables that are measured.
Concepts are represented in hypotheses, research questions, or objectives.
The hypotheses, research questions, or objectives are tested statistically.
The hypotheses, research questions, or objectives emerge from framework propositions.

16. Critically Appraising a Study Framework
Look for comments connecting findings to specific elements of the framework.
Search for comments discussing the implications of findings in terms of truth or falsity of framework propositions.

17. Critically Appraising a Study Framework
Are the findings for each hypothesis, question, or objective consistent with those proposed by the framework?
If the findings are not consistent with the framework, was the methodology adequate to test the hypothesis, question, or objective?
Are the findings consistent with those of other studies using the same framework (or testing the same propositions)?

18. Questions? Comments?
The end!