1. CHAPTER 12: THE STRUCTURE OF THEORY Nursing Knowledge: Science, Practice, and Philosophy by Mark Risjord REFERENCE: RISJORD, M. (2010). THE STRUCTURE OF THEORY. IN NURSING KNOWLEDGE: SCIENCE, PRACTICE, AND PHILOSOPHY (PP. 131-140). WEST SUSSEX, UNITED KINGDOM: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

2. WALLS AND WEBS General laws Mid-range theories Observations General theories REFERENCE: RISJORD, M. (2010). THE STRUCTURE OF THEORY. IN NURSING KNOWLEDGE: SCIENCE, PRACTICE, AND PHILOSOPHY (PP. 131-140). WEST SUSSEX, UNITED KINGDOM: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

3. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS  Problems lead to Questions lead to Solutions lead to More Questions  Knowledge grows due to - practical problems - curiosity  Knowledge = web of statements (propositions) which are answers to questions or the basis (presupposition) of another question  Coherence – justification for a theory grows as it answers more questions and becomes the basis of more answered questions  Theory-testing research  Horizontal & vertical questions REFERENCE: RISJORD, M. (2010). THE STRUCTURE OF THEORY. IN NURSING KNOWLEDGE: SCIENCE, PRACTICE, AND PHILOSOPHY (PP. 131-140). WEST SUSSEX, UNITED KINGDOM: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

4. BREAKTHROUGH RESEARCH REVISITED  Viewed through explanatory coherence account of theory structure  Radical mastectomy (Quint-Benoliel) - Nursing problem: caring for women who had mastectomies - Question led to question - Results became relevant to other disciplines  Pain research (Johnson) - Problem/question: regarding pain mitigation by nursing intervention - Drew on non-nursing research already in place (gate control theory) REFERENCE: RISJORD, M. (2010). THE STRUCTURE OF THEORY. IN NURSING KNOWLEDGE: SCIENCE, PRACTICE, AND PHILOSOPHY (PP. 131-140). WEST SUSSEX, UNITED KINGDOM: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

5. BORROWED THEORY  Historical nursing concern: borrowed theory may infringe upon the uniqueness of nursing research - if it generates/tests theories from other disciplines, it’s not nursing research  But consider…  Research example: pain intervention (Friesner et al) - theoretical background: gate control theory - hypothesis doesn’t test gate control theory, but an intervention - it doesn’t test theories from another discipline - coherence view shows the connection REFERENCE: RISJORD, M. (2010). THE STRUCTURE OF THEORY. IN NURSING KNOWLEDGE: SCIENCE, PRACTICE, AND PHILOSOPHY (PP. 131-140). WEST SUSSEX, UNITED KINGDOM: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

6. CONCLUSION: PIECING THE QUILT  Making connections, bridging differences  Theories = sets of propositions made coherent by Q&A structure  Should adopt the most coherent theory available  Theory strength increases by multidisciplinary support REFERENCE: RISJORD, M. (2010). THE STRUCTURE OF THEORY. IN NURSING KNOWLEDGE: SCIENCE, PRACTICE, AND PHILOSOPHY (PP. 131-140). WEST SUSSEX, UNITED KINGDOM: WILEY-BLACKWELL.