Theory development in nursing tends to raise more debates regarding critical issues
Theory Development and Evaluation
Theory development in nursing tends to raise more debates regarding critical issues. Nursing theories are vital in guiding research, education, as well as practice and strengthening the links between these aspects. They aid in exploring the nursing knowledge, supporting further knowledge development, in addition to establishing nursing as a discipline, as they offer directions to nursing practice (Roy, 2018). It is essential to examine the science and art of theory development as well as evaluation in the nursing profession. One of the critical components in this field is the concept of theory creation since it aids in advancing knowledge in nursing.
Most nursing professionals developed theories to enhance the care delivered to patients by improving direct clinical practice or educating future nurses. Smith (2019) posits that theorists were perceived as risk-takers with long-term commitments to the nursing profession. By seeking to enhance and change nursing practice, the researchers have been able to study ways to develop standard works from evidence-based practice as a working theory (Roy, 2018). The various components of a theory like concepts, theoretical assertions, and statements, further explain the proposed idea and its significance.
Nursing theories have helped in expounding the different nursing phenomena in addition to guiding scholarly development of the science of nursing practice through research. Theories aim at addressing phenomena of interest that are being proposed. Some of the considerations include its internal consistency, completeness, and logic, in addition to correspondence with the empirical findings (Smith, 2019). The fundamentals of the theory need to establish whether it has been designed operationally before testing. By doing this, the researchers can advance the concept logically. It must be developed by accumulating scientific evidence with rigorous research to either support or refute the proposed statements.
Nursing theories are often developed in a systematic scholarly manner. It forms the foundation for the future of the discipline and nursing profession practice. Thus, the systematic development of these theories permits better implementation and evaluation. The creation of theories encompasses knowledge development in nursing, which involves the use of nursing knowledge to describe, predict, explain, and control various nursing situations. The considerations should include the science, aesthetics, and ethics of nursing (Roy, 2018). Moreover, the objective of the examination is to build a scientific knowledge base for nurses and healthcare practice. It aids in generating theoretical, philosophical, and scientific knowledge that serves as a basis for further investigations, reflections, and refinements and is a source of new knowledge.
Nursing professionals must assess the proposed theories before publishing them for the nursing community to debate and review the proposals, which is essential to advancing theory development. It involves examining and critiquing the adequacy of the processes used in building the theory. Furthermore, the process helps relate the theory to practice alongside other available research findings. Theories must be open to scrutiny during the development stage and implementation (Smith, 2019). If found to be inadequate, the approaches can be abandoned, extended, or reviewed to ensure they are consistent with the existing facts. Hence, hypotheses derived from established theories must be based on well-informed predictions.
While evaluating the theories, it is crucial to establish whether they offer candid details and contribute to creating an integrated body of knowledge. Features to consider include accuracy, effectiveness, consistency, applicability, as well as complexity of the theory. Nursing theories should demonstrate empirical and pragmatic adequacy alongside social significance and testability. It should be readily applied and espoused by nursing professionals to enhance patient outcomes (Roy, 2018). Overall, nursing theories focus on the patient, environment, health, and nursing functions, goals, or roles. These aspects must be consistent with the conventional nursing knowledge.
References
Roy, C. (2018). Key issues in nursing theory: Developments, challenges, and future directions. Nursing Research, 67(2), 81-92.
Smith, M. C. (2019). Nursing theories and nursing practice. FA Davis.
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Theory is defined as a set of concepts that are interrelated, propositions and definitions that are presented as a systematic review of situations or events by identifying the specific relations among the variables in an attempt to explain and predict those particular events or situations (Butts & Rich 2017). Theory is noted to be insight which is backed up by data where there are observations and information collected, observations made via senses and results in theory taking on persuasive powers (King, 2021). Within theories themselves, they have three main goals, functions or purposes which are description, explanation, and prediction. Scientific theories help to explain phenomena in an ordered, logical, and interconnected manner (Butts & Rich 2017). Craig (1980) states, that the development of theory must be integrated into the nursing practice if the profession is going to continue to grow and survive. Also, it helps to show the consistent continuum between nursing practice and nursing theory and the understanding of the relationship that tie the two together. During the science and art areas of theory creation it is important to show why change is needed in the specific area of focus and is guided by the scientific method where there will be testing, and observation of facts are recorded then a conclusion is made. With further research and evaluation an extensive analysis can be done creating innovative ideas which can formed into new theories. This creates a perpetual cycle of the development of new theories requiring evaluations and research. These developed theories are researched and eventually require evaluation. The evaluation is a key aspect of these theories because it shows if the outcomes of these theories are successful or not. Without the evaluation it would be a struggle to continuously start over with new thoughts, ideas, and theories. Due to the evaluation process, often you can pinpoint or show where a failure started to show or what is an identified problem within the theory itself. You can make changes and adjustments due to the evaluation results without having to start new every time. Evaluation can be done through using qualitative, quantitative or a mix of both for data collection and analysis. It is important when evaluating theories that practitioners be knowledgeable of theories to ensure that they are being done by having the correct intention and purpose. Theory development and evaluation is a significant role in healthcare. It requires a continual process helping to refine and adjust interventions that are based on a theory through a series of evaluations. These processes will need frequent adjustments and evaluations due to the healthcare field continuously evolving. There will always be a need for new theory development that require evaluation to put into practice the results and outcomes of the research. Best care practice has been developed through the use of theories and evaluation. As healthcare providers, it allows us to improve our patient outcomes and makes improvements within our own practice. Theories and evaluation force change which improve care and positive outcomes for the patients.
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