Conceptual Relationships and Assumptions

In Weeks 3 and 4, you conducted a concept analysis. As Walker and Avant (2019) explain, “concepts allow us to classify our experiences in a meaningful way both to ourselves and others....The ability to express a relationship between two or more concepts is even more useful and efficient” (p. 63). In this Discussion, you create statements about the relationships between two or more concepts, which are critical for developing your theoretical foundation for a program of research.

In this Discussion, you also examine assumptions that may influence your program of research. Assumptions are another type of statement; these statements are considered true, even when they have not been tested. They often go unrecognized because they are deeply embedded in thinking and behavior, so it is important to engage in critical reflection to identify them.

In addition, during this Discussion you consider how nursing’s metaparadigm relates to the theoretical foundation you are developing.

To prepare

• Continue to review the literature that features concepts related to your phenomenon of interest. As you read each article, consider the relationships between and among concepts. Also identify assumptions that are implicit or explicit in the research.


• Select one article from your literature review and apply the seven steps of statement analysis that Walker and Avant (2019) present in Chapter 11 of their text. What insights does this give you about the relationships described in the article, as well as for your own work?


• Think more deeply about the conceptual relationships that may distinguish the theoretical foundation for your future program of research. Also, analyze assumptions that may influence your research (McEwen and Wills, 2019, p. 81).


• Review the information on nursing’s metaparadigm in McEwen and Wills (2019, pp. 41–45). Consider how the metaparadigm concepts of patient, health, nurse, and environment relate to your theoretical foundation.

By Day 3

Post a synopsis of an article that features conceptual relationships related to your phenomenon of interest, and explain the insights you gained by applying Walker and Avant’s steps for statement analysis. Compare the information in the article with your current thinking about your own theoretical foundation for research, including relationships between and among concepts, and assumptions. Describe implications of nursing’s metaparadigm for your theoretical foundation.