Where Did Theory Come From
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.
Directions
In this assignment, you are going to explore how a nurse theorist of your choice created his or her theory.
You will become the theorist immersing yourself in the writings from the earliest mentioned to the most current literature.
Writing in the voice of the theorist (taking on the persona of the theorist) create the theory through the following four stages.
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.
Assignment Details
For this Assignment, you will write on 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.
To view the Grading Rubric for this Assignment, please visit the Grading Rubrics section of the Course Resources.
Assignment Requirements
Before finalizing your work, you should:
- Minimum requirement of at least five sources of support
- be sure to read the Assignment description carefully (as displayed above);
- consult the Grading Rubric (under the Course Resources) to make sure you have included everything necessary; and
- utilize spelling and grammar check to minimize errors.
Your writing Assignment should:
- follow the conventions of Standard English (correct grammar, punctuation, etc.);
- be well ordered, logical, and unified, as well as original and insightful;
- display superior content, organization, style, and mechanics; and
- use APA 6th Edition
How to Submit
Submit your Assignment to the unit Dropbox before midnight on the last day of the unit.
When you are ready to submit your Assignment, submit to unit Dropbox. Make sure to save a copy of your work and be sure to confirm that your file uploaded correctly.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this assignment, you will step into the shoes of a nurse theorist and explore the development of a nursing theory. You will go through the four stages of theory development, namely theorizing, syntax, theory testing, and evaluation. By immersing yourself in the writings of your chosen nurse theorist, you will gain a deep understanding of their philosophy and the thoughts behind their theoretical field. Now, let’s delve into each stage and create the theory.
Stage 1: Theorizing
As a nurse theorist, I began by questioning the concepts that guide nursing practice. I wondered about my role in nursing and the direction the profession was headed. It became evident that there was a need for an overarching concept to guide professionals in their practice. This led me to recognize the necessity of developing a theory.
Stage 2: Syntax
During this stage, I focused on defining the terms that would form the foundation of my theory. I carefully examined the evolving definitions of these terms and considered the insights of other theorists. For instance, let’s take the example of Jean Watson and her theory of caring. She initially defined “caring,” but over time, she refined her terminology to “caritas” through extensive research and collaboration with other scholars. This demonstrates growth and maturation in the field.
Stage 3: Theory Testing
In this stage, the phenomena behind the theory are exposed through research. As the theorist, I would refine the definitions of terms and explore how the theory helps answer practical questions that arise in nursing practice. A widening group of researchers, such as graduate nursing students, would utilize the tools developed in testing the theory. This stage involves ongoing refinement and validation of the theory.
Stage 4: Evaluation
The final stage involves philosophical debate and the application of concepts through evidence-based practice in the act of providing nursing care. The theory is evaluated based on its effectiveness in improving patient outcomes, enhancing nursing practice, and shaping the profession as a whole. This stage ensures that the theory aligns with the evolving healthcare landscape and continues to make a positive impact.
Conclusion:
Understanding the development of nursing theories is crucial for every aspiring nurse. Through the four stages of theory development, nurse theorists strive to provide a solid foundation for the nursing profession. By stepping into the shoes of these theorists and immersing ourselves in their writings, we gain valuable insights into the philosophy and thoughts behind their theoretical fields. This assignment fosters critical thinking and encourages students to explore the rich diversity of nursing theories that shape modern healthcare.
