Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing (3rd Edition) [Paperback]

Lorraine Olszewski Walker (Author), Kay Coalson Avant (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0838586880 | ISBN-13: 978-0838586884 | Publication Date: August 30, 1994 | Edition: 3

The University of Texas at Austin. New edition of a textbook on the development of nursing theory, for students. Previous edition 1988. DNLM: Models, Theoretical - nurses' instruction.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The new edition of this popular text features nursing theory development within the larger nursing context. Chapters discuss concept, statement, and theory development with recently published examples of theory strategies, emphasizing concept analytical work. Introductory chapters clarify the relevance of theory to nursing practice, while concluding chapters contain a greater emphasis on how theories can be tested for validity and utility in practice.

Features

• Recently published examples of theory strategies
• Emergent philosophical views reflect increased diversity
• New material on concept and statement testing
• Updated references throughout

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

When this book was originally written, there was a need for the whys and hows of theory development to be expressed in nursing language. Extant texts written by sociologists and psychologists failed to translate theory development into a nursing context. Through theory development, it was widely believed, nurses affirmed the academic status of nursing and informed their practice. Thus, theory development became a distinct and valued activity.

A decade later, the state of nursing theory development and its place in academic and practice endeavors has changed dramatically. Theory development has been transformed into an activity that takes many forms, occurs at a variety of levels of abstraction, and permeates each facet of nursing. No longer is theory needed to justify and demarcate nursing: that debate has moved to higher ground. The substance of grand theories and/or conceptual models has shown that a variety of characterizations of nursing is possible, and probably desirable. Each has highlighted particular facets of the complex knowledge base needed to understand and practice nursing. In addition, phenomenon-focused theories and a host of qualitative methods have emerged and shown their value in advancing nursing theory development. In quantitatively-oriented research, as well, there is the expectation that such work will be theoretically guided and contribute to the evolution of theoretical knowledge pertinent to nursing. As a result, the phenomena of concern to nursing are increasingly articulated from theoretical perspectives relevant to and sometimes critical of nursing and health care.

Still, from the perspective of students beginning the study of theory development, its language is often a maze of terminology and principles that are new and confusing. To understand nursing's current theoretical state of development, each student must at least briefly-retrace at their own pace the steps their nursing predecessors have taken. As maps guide the traveler, so books guide the student. In this book we aim at the beginning student of nursing theory development. What is manifestly clear to the expert often is vague and disordered to the novice. In articulating basic strategies for theory development in nursing, we have sought to provide the guidance needed by the novice. One note of caution is needed: no matter how conscientiously a student applies a strategy, if the underlying concept is trivial, the theoretical outcome will have limited merit.

For the expert, we see the components of the strategies outlined here not as steps, but rather as a framework for assessing the completeness and orderliness of their work. Creative work has its own process. Sometimes that process is linear; other times it is not. At the end, however, the creative work must be expressed in a coherent and orderly form to be understood by others. For example, when dealing with large amounts of information, or ordering complex phenomena, the material on concept analysis or theory synthesis may prove useful in unsnarling ideas. Thus, we expect that experts will and should use this book differently from novices.

In this third edition we have attempted to portray theory development within the larger nursing context while preserving with clarity the basic strategies content. This third edition moves beyond earlier editions in several ways. First, we have incorporated recently published examples of the theory strategies. Examples are particularly abundant for concept analysis work. Second, we have striven to place theory development within the larger knowledge development process in nursing. New material reflecting this is contained in Chapter 13. Third, increasing diversity is evident in nursing's intellectual and practice spheres. We have tried to reflect this diversity by noting emergent philosophical views articulated by nurses (Chapters 1, 12, and 13) and expanding illustrative material to incorporate the diversity of clients cared for by nurses. Fourth, we have enlarged the consideration given to testing and validation theoretic work (Chapter 12). Most notable is the addition of new material on concept and statement testing. Finally, references have been updated throughout the book while taking care to preserve those references of historical importance and "classics" in the field.

Again, we thank those who contributed to this and earlier editions, especially Charles Bollinger. We acknowledge the assistance of the staff at Appleton & Lange in this current edition, especially David P. Carroll, Senior Editor, and Jennifer Sinsavich, Production Editor. We are especially grateful to two anonymous reviewers for a thorough and inspired review of the text. Finally, we also each wish to thank the other for the joy of a decade of colleagueship and especially for the chance to discuss theory development near the meandering waters of Salado. L.W.
Austin, Texas
K.A.
Waco, Texas

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Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 3 edition (August 30, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0838586880
• ISBN-13: 978-0838586884
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,171,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Theory Construction, December 17, 1999

By 

Carin Reust (Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

As a beginning researcher in medicine, I was quite surprised to find that medicine is considered an atheoretical science. Perhaps I missed a few classes along the way, but as a family physician, I thought I understood theory and theory development. That was until I really started thinking about it. After asking several researchers, mentors, and general queries to other physicians about theory development, I was left with the following: "This is very, very important, but I can't tell you how to start."

Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing is a well written, easy to read book that gives a basic underpinning to theory development. It is the first book on this topic that I could easily understand. Concepts, statements and theories are developed through analysis, synthesis and derivation. This book, with examples, offers a step-by-step approach to development. It is well worth your time.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing (4th Edition), September 29, 2005

By 

K. Van D. Hayes (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing (4th Edition) (Paperback)

This is a classic book on the construction of theory. It is very helpful for the novice graduate student who is starting to get used to the language and world of theory. It provides foundational material on theory development and utilization in practice and research. This book also serves as a ready reference for "seasoned" nurses when reflecting on theory development and modification.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Textbook, February 5, 2006

By 

Susan L. Gatto - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing (4th Edition) (Paperback)

The textbook is required for my doctoral studies in nursing. It is an excellent resource and I highly recommend it to any graduate or doctoral students.