Nr 700 Theory Appraisal

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Semantic Clarity

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refers to the definition of concepts in the theory to establish empiric meaning for concepts within the theory.

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Semantic Consistency

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means that the concepts of the theory are used in ways that are consistent with their definition

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Structural Clairty

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refers to how understandable the connections and reasoning within the theory are

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Simplicity

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simplicity means the number of elements within each descriptive category, particularly concepts and their interrelationships, are minimal.

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Generalizability

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The generality of a theory addresses the scope of experiences covered by the theory

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Accessibility

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addresses the extent to which empiric indicators can be identified for concepts within the theory and how attainable the projected outcomes of the theory are

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Importance of the Theory

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addresses the extent to which empiric indicators can be identified for concepts within the theory and how attainable the projected outcomes of the theory are

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Chinn & Kramer's questions for Critical Appraisal of a Theory?

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How clear is this theory, how simple is this theory, how general is this theory, how accessible is this theory, and how important is this theory?

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What are the two approaches to critical appraisal of nursing theory?

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Empirics and aesthetics

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espoused

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adopted

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When judged empirically, theory can be judged by it's?

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When judged empirically, theory can be judged by its structure and process. In evaluating theory, the structure of a theory is descriptive while the process of a theory is reflective. The evaluator should ask whether the theory offers correspondence, coherence, and consistency (referring to its pragmatics)

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Using Chinn and Kramer’s (2008) framework for theory evaluation, one would describe the theory in terms of its?

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(a) purpose, (b) concepts and definitions, (c) relationships and structure, and (d) assumptions. Moving to critical reflection, one would then evaluate the theory in terms of its (a) clarity, (b) simplicity, (c) generalizability, (d) accessibility, and (e) importance.

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Augros and Stanciu (1984) took on the notion of critical appraisal from a differing perspective. Believing that beauty offers an alternative standard of scientific truth, they suggested that theory, when appraised aesthetically, can be judged by its?

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1 parsimony

2 harmony

3 brilliance

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parsimonious?

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referring to its simplicity or economy of words

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harmony?

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symmetry or balance

(orderly arrangement in what seems choatic. Unity with variety and diversity. Proportion unifies and diverisifies the diverse elements)

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brillance?

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referring to it's clarity and accuracy

(clarity/ resplendence)

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balance (harmony)

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Balance is arranging elements so that no one part of a work overpowers, or seems heavier than any other part. The three different kinds of balance are symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial. Symmetrical (or formal) balance is the most stable, in a visual sense. When both sides of an artwork on either side of the horizontal or vertical axis of the picture plane are exactly (or nearly exactly) the same the work is said to exhibit this type of balance. It is also a principle that deals with the visual weight of an artwork.

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Variety

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Variety is the quality or state of having different forms or types, notable use of contrast

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Semantic Clarity w/ examples?

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Semantic clarity refers to the definition of concepts in the theory to establish empiric meaning for concepts within the theory.

Ex.She begins with key definitions which are stated using economy of words in terms that are easily understood and make sense. However, as I continue to read her theory, even after reading her key concepts (energy field, pattern, resonancy, etc) I found myself reading a paragraph several times and still not knowing what I had just read.

examples she used were not very helpful in clarifying her point diagrams to help lend clarity.

revisions and refinements in the conceptual system in an attempt to be precise in language .

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Semantic consistency w/ examples?

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Semantic consistency means that the concepts of the theory are used in ways that are consistent with their definition (Chinn & Kramer, 1999). Rogers is consistent with presenting the concepts of her theory, her definitions are used consistently, but they are sometimes difficult to follow. She does state that she believes that health is socially defined, which suggests that she expected specific goals for nursing intervention to be based on the values of society, not those of

the nurse alone. She states society labels some behaviors “sick” (pain, happiness, illness, or any behavior), and that society as well as individual families have their own definitions of sick or well-it’s all in the interpretation

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Structural clarity w/ examples?

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Structural clarity refers to how understandable the connections and reasoning within the theory are (Chinn & Kramer,1999). Rogers’ theory does connect one concept to another and uses reasoning, but is sometimes difficult to understand.

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Structural consistency w/ examples?

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Structural consistency relates to the use of different structural forms within the theory (Chinn & Kramer, 1999). Rogers theory is presented in a linear form which she expands upon after beginning with the defining of terms and concepts of the theory. The concepts of her conceptual systems flow directly from her philosophical claims. She is consistent with her view of the person and the environment throughout her system. She presents the content of SUHB in a logically congruent manner (Fawcett, 2000).

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Simplicity w/ examples?

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Per Chinn & Kramer (1999) simplicity means the number of elements within each descriptive category, particularly concepts and their interrelationships, are minimal. Rogers’ theory is not a simple theory. There are numerous categories in her theory with numerous concepts and interrelationships. For example, her metaparadigm concepts include person and environment. She then expounds upon this concept, talking about energy fields openness, patterns, pandimensionality, homeodynamics, resonancy, helicy, and intergrality. The resulting concept is not simple and takes real effort to grasp.

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Generalizability w/ examples?

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The generality of a theory addresses the scope of experiences covered by the theory (Chinn & Kramer, 1999). Rogers’ SUHB can be applied to a variety of practice areas, it is a general theory. Rogers’ theory addresses the health of people on earth and outer space; her theory is concerned with the health of everyone everywhere. She speaks of energy fields and the patterns of an energy field which is referring to people and their interrelationships with the environment (everything and everyone is an energy field). Her theory includes paranormal phenomena which provides explanations for precognition, déjà vu, clairvoyance and telepathy. She believed such occurrences will be seen as “normal’, rather than paranormal. She was a believer in alternative methods of healing, such as meditation, imagery and therapeutic touch. These methods are now known to be effective and are widely used. She also addressed settings for nursing education, management strategies and administrative policies.

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Accessibility w/ examples?

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Accessibility addresses the extent to which empiric indicators can be identified for concepts within the theory and how attainable the projected outcomes of the theory are (Chinn & Kramer, 1999). Empirics is based on the assumption that what is known is accessible through the senses: seeing, touching, hearing, and so forth. It is frequently represented as knowledge of underlying principles and techniques associated with nursing (Fawcett, 2000). Rogers’ theory is
somewhat empirically based, many of the concepts are identifiable in reality, many are not. Her concepts of paranormal phenomena and of energy fields are not empirically based. The outcomes for these two concepts concepts are not easily tested, or at least not easily measured scientifically.

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Importance w/ examples?

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Chinn & Kramer (1999) addresses the extent to which empiric indicators can be identified for concepts within the theory and how attainable the projected outcomes of the theory are As I evaluated Rogers’ theory I became aware that her theory holds value to nursing goal in practice, research and education. Rogers’ was a pioneer in many ways; many of her beliefs are now a norm in health care practice, such as distraction, massage, and therapeutic touch. Her theory influences nursing actions by making us aware of the interactions of people and their environment and of the potential to manipulate the environment to help people heal. Her theory influences nursing education. Her belief is nursing services should be individualized to help people achieve their maximum potential in a positive fashion (Fawcett, 2000). Her theory was futuristic at the time she wrote it; many of her concepts are now widely accepted.