Where Did the Theory Come From
This Assignment addresses this course outcome:
MN502-2: Explain how theoretical frameworks influence advance.
The purpose of this Assignment is to explore how a theorist explicates his or her philosophy and thoughts behind a theoretical field. As in other fields of study, nursing has a plethora of theorists and theories. These theorists have developed their paradigm over time enriching it with research and dialogue with other theorists.
You are going to explore how a theorist of your choice created his or her theory. Did it develop as an acorn becoming a mighty oak over the decades? Did it arrive as a burst of light like the big bang as some believe created our universe? Was it developed from a blueprint like a spaceship where thousands of scholars worked together to create a rocket to the moon? In point of fact, how is a theory developed? This is what we are exploring.
You will pick a theorist who interests you, it does not have to be a nurse theorist. You may also choose from other disciplines such as: behavioral, leadership, business, education, technology.
You will become the theorist immersing yourself in the writings from the earliest mentioned to the most current.
As you read, look at how you (taking on the persona of the theorist) developed the theory.
In the first stage, theorizing occurs. This is where you, as the theorist, identify the concepts of what nursing is and is not. Perhaps you questioned what concepts were guiding those in nursing practice and then started to question your role. You started asking yourself, “Where am I in nursing, and where the profession is going? Is there some overarching concept that guides the professional in his or her practice?” This is where you recognize that a theory is needed.
In the second stage, syntax is developed. This is where you will define the terms. Look for changing definitions of terms. Consider, for example, Jean Watson. She starts by defining the word “caring.” Within the last ten years she has refined her terminology changing the term caring to caritas. This demonstrates a growth and maturation from decades of research she and other scholars did to produce the theory of caring.
The third stage is theory testing. Defined as the phenomena behind the theory that are exposed through research. The definitions of terms are refined. The theorists and other researchers consider whether this theory helps answer questions that arise in practice. This is where your theory is used in by a widening group of researchers. For example, graduate nursing students request the tool you developed while testing your theory.
The fourth and last stage is evaluation. This is where philosophical debate occurs as the concepts are applied through evidenced based practice in the act of providing nursing care.
For this Assignment, you are going to write an article for a nursing journal explaining how you developed your theory through the four stages (theorizing, syntax, theory testing, and evaluation).Your paper must be 3 to 5 pages, not including the title and reference pages.
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- follow the conventions of Standard American English (correct grammar, punctuation, etc.);
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Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The development of theory is an important aspect of any discipline, as it helps to provide a framework for understanding and advancing knowledge in the field. In nursing, a number of theorists have contributed to the development of nursing theory, enriching it with research and dialogue with other theorists. The purpose of this assignment is to explore how a nursing theorist or theorist from another discipline explicates his or her philosophy and thoughts behind a theoretical field. In this assignment, we will explore the stages of theory development, including theorizing, syntax, theory testing, and evaluation.
Answer:
The theory of nursing has evolved over time, with contributions from a number of nursing theorists. One such theorist is Jean Watson, who developed the theory of caring in nursing. The development of Watson’s theory occurred over several decades, with the theorizing stage being a critical component in the process. In this stage, Watson identified the concepts of what nursing is and is not, questioning the role of the nurse and the profession as a whole.
The second stage in the development of Watson’s theory is syntax, where the terms used in the theory are defined and refined. In Watson’s case, this involved defining the concept of caring, which evolved over time to become caritas. This process was the result of decades of research by Watson and other scholars, leading to the maturation and refinement of the theory of caring in nursing.
The third stage in the development of Watson’s theory is theory testing, in which phenomena behind the theory are exposed through research. This involves refining the definitions of terms and considering how the theory can be applied to answer questions that arise in practice. Watson’s theory has been widely used by researchers in nursing and related fields, demonstrating its utility in advancing knowledge in the profession.
The fourth and final stage in the development of nursing theory is evaluation. This is where philosophical debate occurs as the concepts are applied through evidence-based practice in the act of providing nursing care. In Watson’s case, her theory of caring has been widely applied in nursing practice, leading to ongoing debate and refinement of the concepts underlying the theory.
In summary, Watson’s theory of caring in nursing is a valuable contribution to the field of nursing theory. The development of the theory occurred over several decades, with critical contributions from Watson and other scholars. The stages of theory development, including theorizing, syntax, theory testing, and evaluation, played a critical role in the evolution of the theory, demonstrating the importance of systematic and rigorous approaches to theory development in nursing and related fields.
