How to critique a theoretical framework

Instructions for completing Critique: Conceptual Nursing Framework:

The following is a template for you to use as you complete the assignment. Table 1 (Nursing Paradigms, Features, and Conceptual Frameworks) includes an overview of features of the three Nursing Paradigms: Particulate-Deterministic; Interactive-Integrative; and Unitary-Transformative (Fawcett, 2005). Select nursing theories and models, referred to as “Conceptual Frameworks,” are identified.

Of the conceptual frameworks listed in Table 1, your group should select 6 to explore further. The Library Guide for NUR 18200 has eBooks available for you to use: click here for selected texts on nursing theorists. These texts have reference lists that are helpful as well, if you’d like to dig deeper in understanding a particular conceptual framework. Several nurse theorists even have their own websites!

The 6 conceptual frameworks your group chooses is your choice. You could consider selecting at least one from each nursing paradigm. Or, perhaps you personally and professionally identify strongly with one of the nursing paradigms. Each is like a “lens,” offering a certain way of viewing nursing phenomena. Chances are you already view nursing (and the world, in general) according to one of the three nursing paradigms but just didn’t have a name for it…until now!

Complete Table 2 (Selected Conceptual Frameworks: Basic Assumptions and Concepts Defined), providing a brief summary of basic assumptions and how concepts are defined for each of the 6 conceptual frameworks. From these 6 conceptual frameworks, select 1 conceptual framework from Table 2 and complete Table 3 (Selected Conceptual Framework: Conceptual Framework Evaluation Criteria Applied). The 5 criteria in Table 3 are to be used to evaluate and critique your selected conceptual framework. The criteria are also presented in Week 3: Presentations, “Theory Evaluation Criteria.” Explain your answers to the questions posed in the critique, providing rationales and examples (i.e., provide more than “yes” or “no” in your responses).

Provide a reference list of the resources you used to complete this assignment.

At the end, please provide a brief summary of each individual group member’s contributions to this assignment. In objective terms, specify who did what to make the group work possible and create this assignment. As a collaborative assignment for which only one document is submitted per group, everyone identified in the document should be in agreement with not only the content presented in the critique but also with the summary of contributions.

Table 1: Nursing Paradigms, Features, and Conceptual Frameworks

Nursing Paradigm

Particulate-Deterministic

Interactive-Integrative

Unitary-Transformative

Features

· Bio-psycho-social-cultural-spiritual being

· Interacting with the environment

· Reducible into parts

· Causal relationships

· Health-Illness decided by societal norms

· Promote and maintain health and prevent disease

· Diagnosis and treat human responses to health problems

· Health is a state of biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual well-being

· Nursing focuses on preventing disease, maintaining and promoting health according to societal norms

· Reality is multidimensional and interactive

· Entities are context-dependent and relative

· Change is a function of multiple antecedent factors and probabilistic relationships

· Relationships can be reciprocal

· Both objective and subjective phenomena are studied, with emphasis on objectivity, control, and predictability

· Irreducible/unitary whole (no parts)

· In mutual process with the environment

· Acausality

· Focus is on patterns and experiences

· Change is unpredictable, rhythmical, continuous

· Persons are unfolding/becoming and moving toward increasing diversity

· Health is a changing process of changing value priorities

· Health is defined by the person

· Nursing focuses on patterns, lived experiences, and quality of life

Conceptual Framework

· Johnson’s Behavioral System Model

· King’s Systems Model

· Levine’s Conservation Model

· Neuman’s Systems Model

· Orem’s Self-Care Model

· Roy’s Adaptation Model

· Peplau’s Theory of Interpersonal Relationships

· Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings

· Newman’s Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness

· Parse’s Human Becoming Theory

· Watson’s Theory of Human Caring

Fawcett, J. (2005). Contemporary Nursing Knowledge: Analysis and Evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories (Vol. 2nd ed). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company. Retrieved from http://pnw.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=198249&site=ehost-live

Table 2: Selected Conceptual Frameworks: Basic Assumptions and Concepts Defined

Conceptual Framework:

Basic Assumption:

Person:

Environment:

Health:

Nursing:

Conceptual Framework:

Basic Assumption:

Person:

Environment:

Health:

Nursing:

Conceptual Framework:

Basic Assumption:

Person:

Environment:

Health:

Nursing:

Conceptual Framework:

Basic Assumption:

Person:

Environment:

Health:

Nursing:

Conceptual Framework:

Basic Assumption:

Person:

Environment:

Health:

Nursing:

Conceptual Framework:

Basic Assumption:

Person:

Environment:

Health:

Nursing:

Table 3: Selected Conceptual Framework: Conceptual Framework Evaluation Criteria Applied

Selected Conceptual Framework:

Criteria 1: Is the meaning of the conceptual framework clear and understandable?

Is the reason for developing the conceptual framework clear?

Is it clear what the conceptual framework is about?

What level of knowledge is needed to understand the language used in the conceptual framework?

How does the theory compare to other theories with similar meanings?

Criteria 2: Boundaries of the conceptual framework are consistent with nursing practice

Does the definition of nursing fit with other definitions of nursing?

What aspects of nursing are addressed within the conceptual framework?

Does the conceptual framework differentiate between nursing and other disciplines?

Where does nursing take place?

Are boundaries consistent with current nursing practice or a future vision of nursing practice?

Criteria 3: Language is Understandable

Is the language used clear, consistent, and useful?

Has conceptual framework been studied extensively (via research)?

If abstract language is used, does it compromise the utility of the theory?

Criteria 4: Major concepts of the conceptual framework are identified and defined

Are metaparadigm concepts clearly identifiable and defined?

Are concepts related to nursing practice?

Are the definitions of major concepts consistent with what we know of nursing practice?

Are definitions consistent with other conceptual frameworks?

Are concepts consistent with nursing and nursing practice?

Criteria 5: Does the theoretical knowledge influence and demonstrate congruence with nursing practice?

Does the theoretical knowledge influence nursing practice?

Is relationship between the theory and practice clear?

Can conceptual framework inform your practice?

Is theory congruent with nursing’s historical perspective, ethical standards, and social policy?

Reference List

Summary of individual group member’s contributions to the assignment: