NURSING RESEARCH 1

INTENSIVE REVIEW Dr. Francis Jay H. Ramos

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
 NATURE OF RESEARCH
FRAMEWORK
A framework is simply the structure of the idea or concept
and how it is put together.
It is a conceptual underpinnings of a study or an essay that
is in the form of an arguments.
It supports the rationale for developing the research
question.
 TYPES OF FRAMEWORK
Conceptual Theoretical
A structure of concepts A collection of interrelated
grouped together as a map concepts, that exists in the literature,
a ready-made map for study but
for the study may or may not be well worked out
It refers to the explanation An explanation or an essay that
of the variables of the study interrelates the concepts or theories
based on literature and involved in the phenomenon
research
THEORY COMES FROM THE GREEK
WORD THEORIA – BEHOLDING What is theory?
SPECTACLE OR SPECULATION
 WHAT IS THEORY?

General principle, an explanation of a phenomenon or an abstract generalization that systematically

explains the relationship among given phenomena, for the purposes of explaining

A statement that is much broader and complex that fact

Set of statements that describes or explains phenomena in a systematic way, pointing out why
one event relates to another or what an event to occur

Provides autonomy and power by guiding and directing the practice, educational and research
functions of the profession
CHARACTERISTICS OF THEORY

Set of concepts Propositions Represented by Purposely created and

conceptual paradigm formulated
and conceptual models

Tentative and subject to Development occurs Integral to research

change upon discovery of new
evidence
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THEORY
Kinds of Concepts
1. It consists of a set of concepts A. Enumerative concepts – phenomena that are always present
to all people (age, sex, height, weight)
! Concepts are the building block of B. Associative Concepts – exist only in some instances (income,
disease, anxiety)
theory; a word picture or basic
idea of a phenomenon that C. Relational Concepts – phenomena that can only be
understood when combined (child or elderly associated with
symbolizes reality age, developmental tasks and longevity)
! Concrete such as nurse, girl, Manila, D. Statistical Concepts – quantitative property (Blood pressure,
Siena College Taytay incidence of DFS)
! Abstract such as nursing, man, E. Summative Concepts – global embodiments of phenomenon
such as health, nursing, man, and environment
health, community
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THEORY
2. Theory also consists of propositions, which are related
between concepts derived from empirical data.
Propositions – statements or assertion of the relationship between
concepts derived from theories or generalizations based on
empirical or factual data.
It assumes the form of logically interrelated deductions, which
means that the theory must provide a mechanism for logically
arriving at simple statements derived from the original propositions.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THEORY
3. A theory is represented by conceptual paradigm and conceptual models.
Paradigm represents global issues about individuals, groups, situations and
events of interest to the profession. It is an over-all belief system. It can be
quantitative or qualitative.
Conceptual Paradigm is a diagram that visually presents and interprets the
underlying theory, principles and concepts of a research. It is a picture that
represents the structure and parts of a theory.
Theory focuses on the explanations of relationships between given
phenomena, a paradigm focuses on the structure or composition of the theory.
Thus, theories in nursing are generally structural or diagrammatic, since these
can be easily interpreted and analyzed.
 CONCEPTUAL PARADIGM
o These are presented in solid lines indicating direct relationship and dotted
lines indicating indirect relationship
o Uses basic shapes and arrows to indicate flow direction, interaction,
interdependence and interrelationship such as linear or cyclical flow model, or
top-down model ort bottom-up model;
o must be properly labelled and accompanied by a textual explanation either
presented in numbered or bullet or paragraph
o paradigm should be kept short and simple so as not to confuse the readers.
 MODEL
A model is a symbolic representation of a phenomenon or
phenomena using few words to express its meanings that can be
easily understood.
It represents certain aspects of reality, concrete or abstract, by
means of a likeness which is structural, pictorial, diagrammatic or
mathematical.
 TYPES OF CONCEPTUAL MODELS
Conceptual Model Theoretical Model
Ideas formulated in the mind; picture of Represents the real world expressed in
something that actually exists which language or mathematical symbols.
consists of patterns, standards or They provide a way to visualize reality
examples which are abstract and not and simplify thinking, but are not directly
generally observable in the empirical observable.
world.
They have defined concepts, relational
Interrelated concepts or abstractions statements that present a view of
fused together because of their phenomenon and can be used to
relevance to a common theme describe, explain, predict and control the
phenomenon.
 TYPES OF MODELS

Conceptual Theoretical
Ideas formulated in the mind;
Represents the real world
the picture of something that
expressed in language or
actually exists which consists of
mathematical symbols. They
patterns, standards or
provide a way to visualize
examples which are abstract
reality and simply thinking, but
and not generally observable
are not directly observable.
in the empirical world
 #FEELINGCONFUSED? LET US
SIMPLIFY
Conceptual Framework Theoretical Framework
o Researcher’s idea on how the research o Broader scale of resolution
problem will be explored
o Dwells on time tested theories that
o Embodies the specific direction by embody the findings of numerous
which the research will be undertaken investigations on how phenomena occur
o Describes relationships between o Provides a general representation of
specific variables identified in the study relationships between phenomena
o Outlines the input-process-output
o Known as research paradigm
 DIFFERENCE OF THEORETICAL AND
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Broader scope Narrower Scope

Very specific, defined structure, no ambiguity of

General, less structured, loosely defined definition

Derived from concepts, specific variables that may

Derived from theories that already exist identified in the study itself

Provide the structure, paradigm for a research

Provide the basic foundation for a research study analysis

It is the starting point of the discussion, make

It lies in the entire commencement of the study
readers aware of what follows
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THEORY
4. Theories are purposely created and formulated, not
discovered.
Theory building is a creative and intellectual process which any
individual with sufficient experience and imagination can do.
5. Theories are tentative and subject to change.
Changes occur as research continuous to provide explanations to
variables or phenomenon being investigated.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THEORY
6. Theory development occurs if new evidence or observations
undermine a previously accepted theory.
Knowledge is an efficient mechanism in drawing together
accumulated facts to fully understand the meaning and implications
of a phenomenon.
7. Theory is integral to research.
Theory explains the basis of the problem that allows the researcher
to formulate the research design and select tools for data collection
and measurement.
 PARADIGM
❖ Paradigm represents global issues about
individuals, groups, situations and events of interest
to the profession.
❖ An overall belief system that makes sense of
reality and the basis of knowledge
 CONCEPTUAL PARADIGM
Conceptual Paradigm is a diagram or a picture that represents the
structure and parts of a theory.

While theory focuses on the explanations of the relationships

between given phenomena; a paradigm focuses on the structure or
compositions of the theory. Thus, theories in nursing are generally
structural or diagrammatic, since these can be easily interpreted
and analyzed.
 METAPARADIGM Person

The most abstract level of

knowledge representing global
concepts specific to nursing
discipline. A global proportion Nursing Metaparadigm Environment
that defines and relates these
concepts together and organizes
nursing knowledge in a
systematic manner for the
purpose of understanding the
phenomenon. Health
PURPOSES OF THEORIES

Summarize existing knowledge

Explain or interpret observations as

well as predict and control outcomes
Stimulate the effort of making new
discoveries
 EVALUATING A THEORY
Internal criteria
Semantic and

External criteria
structural clarity

Semantic and
structural simplicity

Generalizability

Empirical precision Adequacy Utility Significance Discrimination Scope

Derivable
consequences
 STEPS IN THEORY DEVELOPMENT
ARE AS FOLLOWS
Select a phenomenon; list and observe variables involved

Analyze and observe the phenomenon then formulate hypothesis

using concepts, assumptions, propositions

Integrate all concepts, assumptions and inferences to the phenomenon

to forma general idea

New theories or knowledge are derived and developed or

reconstructed using the concepts or variables representing the
observed phenomenon
 IMPORTANCE OF THEORY TO
NURSING PRACTICE
1. as basis of nursing practice, theory describes, predicts, controls and explains
phenomena of interest to nurses
2. it validates, enhances, and improves nursing practice
3. it promotes explanation and understanding phenomena and gives rise to a
body of knowledge
4. it follows logical progression and contributes to nursing autonomy and
identity
5. it is intrinsic to practice, and practice continues to validate theory, hence,
theory and practice are integral to each other.
THE END