Identifying a Framework

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LECTURE: Components of Nursing Knowledge

It is impossible to fully explain nursing theory without referencing Jacqueline Fawcett at some point in the discussion.  Dr. Fawcett has contributed significantly to the science of nursing through the development of the Metaparadigm of Nursing, the identification of five components of nursing knowledge, and extensive study and explanation of nursing theory.  In 2005, Fawcett placed nursing knowledge components into a structural holarchy of

  • Metaparadigm
  • Philosophy
  • Conceptual Model
  • Theory
  • Empirical Indicator

This holarchy does not apply to just nursing knowledge but to the knowledge of any discipline.  Philosophies are world views of a discipline. While this level is an extensive thread guiding conceptual models, it is rarely expressed in research.  This week will concentrate on conceptual models and theories. Think of conceptual models as a framework with concepts clearly identified and general principles of their relationships expressed.  A theory is a very specific relationship between concepts within the model. The readings for this week go into theories, grand theories, frameworks in detail. We will explore the Metaparadigm of Nursing in a later module.

The end purpose of theory is to guide practice and research.  In order to conduct research, variables are used to statistically compare concepts.  Empirical Indicators are variables that very precisely measure concepts. For example, if your theory states “knowledge as a component of sociocultural orientation basic conditioning factor enhances prevention of hazards”, how will you measure research on this theory?  Empirical indicators specifically relate theory to research questions. In this case, your research may be comparing scores on a child passenger safety questionnaire with the number of errors in the installation of a vehicle child safety restraint. The score on the questionnaire and the number of errors are very clearly measurable indicators.  The proposition is that higher scores on the questionnaire will correlate with fewer errors in restraint installation. If this is found to be true, then there is support for the theory “knowledge as a component of sociocultural orientation basic conditioning factor enhances prevention of hazards”.

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THE TASK:

 

  • Length: A minimum of 250 words, not including references
  • Citations: At least one high-level scholarly reference in APA format from within the last 5 years

 

Discussion Prompt

In the lecture for the week, a theory was identified. “Knowledge as a component of the socio-cultural orientation basic conditioning factor enhances the prevention of hazards” is a theory from a major nursing framework.  Identify the framework and provide an example of how other applications of this theory may occur in nursing practice. For example, you may say that education may enhance the reduction of free-throw rugs in an elderly person’s home which will prevent falls.  Tie the concepts together by clearly defining them and how they could be measured. Find an instrument, survey, or tool in the literature that could be used to measure the concept. For example, if you are measuring pain, you might use the Faces Pain Scale-Revised, at the following link: https://www.iasp-pain.org/Education/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=1519