Theoretical Framework

THEORETICAL/CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKTHEORETICAL/CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Theoretical/Conceptual FrameworkTheoretical/Conceptual FrameworkDEFINITIONS:

FrameworkThe abstract, logical structure of meaning that guides the development of the study and enables the researcher to link the findings to nursing’s body of knowledge.

Theoretical FrameworkTerm used in a study based on a theory.

Conceptual FrameworkTerm used in a study that has its roots in a specified conceptual model.

ConceptA term that abstractly describes and names an object or phenomenon, thus providing it with a separate identity

or meaning. Theory

Consists of an integrated set of defined concepts, existence statements, and relational statements that present a view of a phenomenon and can be used to describe, explain, predict, and/or control that phenomenon.

Theoretical/Conceptual FrameworkTheoretical/Conceptual FrameworkRelational Statements

Declares that a relationship of some kind exists between two or more concepts.

Conceptual ModelA set of highly abstract, related construct that broadly explains phenomena of interest, expresses assumptions, and reflects a philosophical stance.

Conceptual MapDiagrams the interrelationships of the concepts and statements.

Conceptual DerivationConceptual definition derived from theories in other disciplines.

Theoretical/Conceptual FrameworkTheoretical/Conceptual Framework

BASIC NURSING CONCEPTS 1. Person2. Environment3. Health4. Nursing


CONCEPTUAL MODELSI. Open System

Models> Imogene King

(1981)

II. Theory of Culture Care Diversity and

Universality> Madeline

Leininger(1991)

III. Conservation Model

> Myra Levine (1973)

IV. Health Care Systems Model

> Betty Neuman (1989)

V. Health as Expanding Consciousness> Margaret Newman (1994)

VI. Self-Care Model> Dorothea Orem (1985)


VII. Theory of Human Becoming

> Rosemarie Rizzo (1992, 1995)

VIII. Science of Unitary Human Beings

> Martha Rogers (1970, 1986)

IX. Adaptation Model

> Sr. Callista Ray (1984, 1991)

X. Theory of Caring

> Jean Watson (1999)


RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEORY AND RESEARCH

• Reciprocal and mutual• Research plays a dual and continuing role in

theory building and testing.• Theory guides and generates ideas for

research.• Research assesses the worth of the theory

and provides a foundation for new theories.


STEPS IN CONSTRUCTING A STUDY FRAMEWORK

1. Selecting and defining concepts2. Developing relational statements3. Developing hierarchical statement

sets4. Constructing a conceptual map


I. Selecting and Defining Concepts• Concepts are selected for a framework based on the

relevance to the phenomenon of concern. Thus, the problem statement, which describes the phenomenon of concern, will be a rich source of concepts for the framework.

• Example: Fink (1991) stated the purpose of her study was to “examine the influence of family resources and demands on the well being of families providing care to an elderly parent and on the strains experienced by the family unit”. The concepts she selected were family systems well being. Two types of family system were included: Social support resources and internal system resources.

• Each concept included in the framework needs to be conceptually defined.


• Sources of conceptual definitions are the following:1. Published concept analysis.2. Literature associated with instrument development related to the concept.

• When acceptable conceptual definitions are not available, concept synthesis of concept analysis needs to be performed in order to develop the definition.


Fink’s sample of Conceptual Definitions:

1. Family support2. Internal family system resources3. Family demands4. Family strains5. Family well-being


II. Developing Relational Statements• Link all of the concepts through relational

statements.• Relational statements need to be obtained

from theoretical works and sources cited.• The researcher developing a framework

may need to extract statements that are embedded in the literary text of an existing theory.


Steps of Extracting Statements1. Select a portion of a theory discussing the relationships between

or among two or three concepts.2. Write down a single sentence from the theory that seems to be a

relational statement.3. Express it diagrammatically using the statement diagrams.4. Move to the next statement and express it diagrammatically.5. Continue until all the statements related to the selected concepts

have been diagrammatically expressed.6. Examine the linkage among the diagrammatic statements you

have developed.• If statements relating the concepts of interest are not

available in the literature, statement synthesis will be necessary. This means that the researcher will have to develop statements proposing specific relationships among the concepts being studied.

Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

Fink’s Sample of Relational Statements

I.

Family SocialSupports

Internal FamilySystem Resources

Family Well-being

Strains


II.

Family SocialSupports

Family SystemResources

Strains

Well-being


III.

Family DemandFamily life changes

Care provided to elderlyAppraisal of caregiving

Strains Well-being

Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

IV.

Strains Well-being


III. Developing Hierarchical Statement Sets

• Composed of a specific proposition and a hypothesis or research question.

• If conceptual model is included, the set may also include a general proposition.

• The proposition is listed first, with the hypothesis or research question immediately following.


IV. Constructing a Conceptual Map• The following information must be available:

1. A clear problem and purpose statement.2. The concept of interest, including conceptual definitions.3. Results of an integrative review of the theoretical and empirical literature.4. Relational statements linking the concepts, expressed literally and diagrammatically.5. Identification and analysis of existing theories that address the relationships of interest.6. Identification of existing conceptual models congruent with the developing framework.7. Linking of proposed relationships with hypotheses, questions, or objectives (Hierarchical statement sets).


Steps of Developing a Map1. Arrange the concepts in sequence of occurrence (or causal

linkage) from left to right, with concept(s) reflecting the outcome(s) located on the far right.

2. Concepts that are elements of a more abstract construct can be placed in a frame or box.

3. Sets of closely interrelated concepts can be linked by enclosing them in a frame or circle.

4. Using arrows, link the concepts in a way consistent with the diagrammatic statements you have previously developed.

5. The path of relationships may diverge, in some cases, so that there are then two or more paths of concepts. The paths may again converge at a later point.

6. Every concept should be linked to at least one other concept.


Sample of Developing a Map

Effects of Role Supplementation

Nurses’Role Change

Nurse teachesMother how to Render care tochild

Mother learnshow to giveCare to child

MaternalAnxietydecreases

Maternal careTo child increases

DecreasedMaternal Role strain

Child anxietydecreased

Less Regressivebehavior


Example of Fink’s Conceptual Map

FAMILY RESOURCES1. Family social support2. Family internal system resources

FAMILY DEMANDS1. Family changes/transitions2. Amount of help to elder3. Caregiver appraisal

FAMILY WELL-BEING

FAMILY STRAINS

Theory Generation:observations (concrete) and the translation (abstract) -examples

Observation: The early posttransplant time period is characterized by depersonalization of the transplanted organ, hypervigilance for signs of rejection, and an inability to plan for the future. Quality of life is compromised by a sense of tentativeness in terms of well-being.

Translation: The initial period is one of detachment

Another example

Observation: Once the immediate threat of organ rejection has passed the transplant recipient is able to claim ownership of the organ. There is less worry about organ rejection and the resumption of the more normal lifestyle. The recipient is able to plan for the future. QOL improves.

Translation: A perception of safety and security is necessary for attachment to the donated organ and an improved QOL.

Proposed Theory

Detachment Attachment“It”

•Hypervigilance•Tentativeness•Inability to plan for the future•Low quality of life

Organ acceptance•Physiologic•Cognitive•emotional

“mine”•Normal lifestyle•Permanence•Ability to plan for the future•Improved QOL


Critiquing the Framework of a studyGuidelines:1. Does the research describe an explicit theoretical or conceptual

framework for the study? (If not, does the absence of an explicit framework detract from the usefulness of significance of the research?)

2. Does the report adequately describe the major features of the framework so that readers can understand the conceptual basis of the study?

3. Does the research problem and hypotheses naturally flow from the framework, or does the purported link between the problem and the framework seem contrived?

4. Are conceptual definitions of the concepts in the study provided – and are the definitions consistent with framework?

5. Does the researcher tie the findings of the study back to the framework at the end of the report? How do the findings support of undermine the framework?

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Theoretical Framework

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