Chapter 7 Understanding Theory and Research Frameworks

**10. The nurse researcher plans to evaluate self-care and its effects on disease prevention. The nurse identifies various health promotion activities—such as proper diet, exercise, and hours of sleep per night—as components of self-care. In this example, "self-care" is a a. concept. b. construct. c. theory. d. variable.

ANS: A A concept is more abstract than a variable and represents the name for an object or phenomenon of interest. A concept is the most abstract element of all. A construct is a concept that has been created for the study. A construct is a broader category or idea that may encompass several concepts. Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon. A variable is more specific than a concept and is variable and measurable.

**16. In a study about childhood obesity, the researcher discusses the concept of overweight in terms of weight for height measures, body mass index (BMI), body image, self-esteem, and social norms. When discussing body image, self-esteem, and social norms, the researcher is describing the a. conceptual definition. b. dependent variable. c. independent variable. d. operational definition.

ANS: A A conceptual definition is more comprehensive than a denotative or dictionary definition and includes associated meanings the word may have. The dependent variable is a measurable variable that is hypothesized to change because of manipulation or difference in the independent variable. The independent variable is a measurable variable that is manipulated by the researcher to observe possible changes in the dependent variable. The operational definition describes how the concept may be measured or manipulated in a study.

***9. When a nurse researcher develops a plan for conducting a quantitative study, the theory on which the study is based is described as? a. The framework b. The assumption c. The hypothesis d. The purpose

ANS: A A research framework is a brief explanation of a theory or those portions of a theory that are being used to guide a study or that will be tested in a study. An assumption is a statement that is taken for granted or considered true, even though it has not been scientifically tested. The hypothesis is a statement of predicted relationships between variables or predicted outcomes. The purpose is a declarative statement of the overall goals of the study.

7. A nurse researcher develops a study to assist patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to lose weight by altering eating patterns. The researcher states, "Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus desire to control weight to gain better glycemic control." This statement is a(n) a. assumption. b. concept. c. philosophy. d. theory.

ANS: A Assumptions are statements in a philosophy or theory that are taken for granted or considered to be true. Concepts are terms that abstractly describe and name an object, idea, experience, or phenomenon and are defined in specific ways to present the ideas relevant to a theory. Philosophies are rational intellectual explorations of truths or principles and describe viewpoints on what reality is and which ethical ideas should guide practice. Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon.

27. The level of theory derived from the analysis of data is a. grounded theory. b. grand theory. c. mid-range theory. d. practice theory.

ANS: A Grounded theory is theory derived from the analysis of data. A grand theory is an abstract nursing theory. A mid-range theory is narrower in scope than a grand theory. A specific type of mid-range theory is a prescriptive, or practice theory. These are often derived from evidence-based guidelines and are specific to situations.

2. Which of the following are true statements about middle range theories? Select all that apply. a. They may emerge from a grounded theory study. b. They are more abstract and wider in scope than grand nursing theories. c. Practice theories are a type of middle range theories that are more specific. d. Nurses providing patient care and nurse researchers find them less helpful. e. They are sometimes called substantive theories.

ANS: A, C, E Middle range theories may emerge from a grounded theory study, be deduced from a grand nursing theory, or created through a synthesis of the literature on a particular topic. Practice theories are a type of middle range theories that are more specific. They are designed to propose specific approaches to particular nursing practice situations. They are sometimes called substantive theories because they are closer to the substance of clinical practice. Middle range theories are less abstract and narrower in scope than grand nursing theories, but are more abstract than theories that apply to only a specific situation. Because middle range theories are more closely linked to clinical practice and research than grand nursing theories, nurses providing patient care and nurse researchers find them to be helpful.

1. Which statements would the nurse researcher recognize as being true when critically appraising a framework? Select all that apply. a. Critical appraising a framework requires the identification and evaluation of the concepts, their definitions, and the statements linking the concepts. b. Study findings should not be linked back to the research framework. c. Researchers usually link the findings back to the framework and other literature in the results section of the research report. d. Researchers must judge the adequacy of the linkages of concepts to variables, measurement of research or dependent variables, and implementation of independent variables. e. The discussion section is where the critical appraisal guidelines are applied to frameworks that were derived from a grand nursing theory.

ANS: A, D, E Critical appraising a framework does require the identification and evaluation of the concepts, their definitions, and the statements linking the concepts. It is important that the researcher judge the adequacy of the linkages of concepts to variables, measurement of research or dependent variables, and implementation of independent variables. The discussion section is where the critical appraisal guidelines are applied to frameworks that were derived from a grand nursing theory, middle range theory, tentative theory, and a scientific (physiological) theory. The study findings should be linked back to the research framework to determine its usefulness in describing reality. Researchers usually link the findings back to the framework and other literature in the discussion section of the research report.

22. A nurse researcher discusses a theory about the stigma of chronic illness in children and describes aspects of chronic illness including aesthetic qualities, causes of the condition, and concealability of the disease as dimensions of this stigma. In this case, "aesthetic qualities, causes of the condition, and concealability of the disease" are a. concepts. b. constructs. c. theories. d. variables.

ANS: B A construct is a concept that has been created for the study. A construct is a broader category or idea that may encompass several concepts. A concept is more abstract than a variable and represents the name for an object or phenomenon of interest. A concept is the most abstract element of all. Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon. A variable is more specific than a concept and is variable and measurable

11. The nurse researcher plans to evaluate self-care and its effects on disease prevention. The nurse identifies various health promotion activities—such as proper diet, exercise, and hours of sleep per night—as components of self-care. In this example, "health promotion" is a a. concept. b. construct. c. theory. d. variable.

ANS: B A construct is a concept that has been created for the study. A construct is a broader category or idea that may encompass several concepts. A concept is more abstract than a variable and represents the name for an object or phenomenon of interest. A concept is the most abstract element of all. Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon. A variable is more specific than a concept and is variable and measurable.

3. A researcher is studying how anxiety affects coping with chronic disease and theorizes that measures to reduce anxiety will improve subjects' ability to cope with day-to-day demands of self-care. In this example, anxiety and coping are a. assumptions. b. concepts. c. philosophies. d. theories.

ANS: B Concepts are terms that abstractly describe and name an object, idea, experience, or phenomenon and are defined in specific ways to present the ideas relevant to a theory. Assumptions are statements in a philosophy or theory that are taken for granted or considered to be true. Philosophies are rational intellectual explorations of truths or principles and describe viewpoints on what reality is and which ethical ideas should guide practice. Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon

4. The building blocks for theory are a. empirical testing. b. concepts. c. hypotheses. d. models.

ANS: B Concepts are terms that abstractly describe and name an object, idea, experience, or phenomenon, thus providing it with a separate identity or meaning. Concepts are defined in a particular way to present the ideas relevant to a theory. Empirical testing is a way of gaining knowledge by means of direct and indirect observation or experience. A hypothesis is the formal statement of the expected relationship(s) between two or more variables in a specified population in a quantitative research study. Models are used to express a theory or research framework using a diagram with the concepts and relationships graphically displayed.

21. Which nursing theorist developed a grand nursing theory? a. Brennaman b. Orem c. Pender d. Swanson

ANS: B Orem's theory is a grand nursing theory. Brennaman, Pender, and Swanson developed middle range nursing theories.

****1. Which is true about a study framework? a. It guides nurses in clinical practice. b. It explains a portion of a theory. c. It is one of the major ideas of a theory. d. It is the underlying methodology used in research.

ANS: B-It explains a portion of a theory. A study framework is a brief explanation of a theory or those portions of a theory that are to be tested in a study. The knowledge gained from testing theories is used to guide nursing practice. Concepts are the major ideas contained in a theory. The framework is not the methodology, which consists of sampling techniques, tools, and measures used to gather and analyze data.

**15. Which is true about a conceptual definition in a research study? a. It defines how a concept can be manipulated in a study. b. It describes how a concept may be measured in a study. c. It is comprehensive and includes associative meanings. d. It is more specific than a dictionary definition

ANS: C A conceptual definition is more comprehensive than a denotative or dictionary definition and includes associated meanings the word may have. The operational definition describes how the concept may be manipulated in a study. The operational definition describes how the concept may be measured in a study. A conceptual definition is more comprehensive than a denotative or dictionary definition and includes associated meanings the word may have

***25. In the introduction to a study, the researcher explains why self-esteem is expected to affect obesity. The explanation of this relationship represents which aspect of the study? a. Concept b. Construct c. Framework d. Theory

ANS: C A framework is an abstract, logical structure of meaning identifying how one variable is expected to affect another. A concept is more abstract than a variable and represents the name for an object or phenomenon of interest. A concept is the most abstract element of all. A construct is a concept that has been created for the study. A construct is a broader category or idea that may encompass several concepts. Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon.

***26. Which will the researcher use to display the concepts and relationships in a theoretical framework? a. Construct b. Graph c. Model d. Theory

ANS: C A model is a diagram or map that graphically displays concepts and relationships in a theory. A construct is a concept that has been created for the study. A construct is a broader category or idea that may encompass several concepts. A graph may be used in a model to depict variables. Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon.

18. A researcher discusses how endorphins released during aerobic exercise cause a heightened sense of well-being in subjects. This discussion is a a. conceptual definition. b. operational definition. c. relational statement. d. theoretical framework.

ANS: C A relational statement clarifies the type of relationship that exists between concepts. A conceptual definition is more comprehensive than a denotative or dictionary definition and includes associated meanings the word may have. The operational definition describes how the concept may be measured or manipulated in a study. A theoretical framework describes abstract concepts and phenomena and is used to guide nurses in clinical practice.

19. When a researcher analyzes data obtained from study variables for possible significant relationships among these variables, the researcher is testing the a. abstract ideas. b. conceptual definitions. c. relationship statements. d. study assumptions.

ANS: C A relational statement clarifies the type of relationship that exists between concepts. An abstract idea focuses on a general view of a phenomenon. A conceptual definition is more comprehensive than a denotative or dictionary definition and includes associated meanings the word may have. It does not identify relationships. Assumptions are statements in a philosophy or theory that are taken for granted or considered to be true.

8. A nurse researcher will measure the effects of infant and parent bonding on infant weight gain in the first 6 months of life. The nurse will evaluate the number of times each day that the parent holds the infant. This measure is an example of a(n) a. abstract idea. b. concept. c. concrete idea. d. phenomenon.

ANS: C Concrete ideas refer to realities or actual instances, focusing on the particular and not the general. An abstract idea is a general view of a phenomenon, such as parent/infant bonding. A concept is a term that abstractly describes a phenomenon. A phenomenon is the appearance or aspect of reality as it is experienced

24. Which nursing theorist developed a middle range theory for nursing? a. Orem b. King c. Mishel d. Rogers

ANS: C Mishel's theory is a middle range nursing theory. Orem, King, and Rogers developed grand nursing theories

****6. Which statement is true about research frameworks? a. Every qualitative study has an implicit or explicit research framework. b. Research frameworks for psychological studies are usually derived from physiology, genetics, pathophysiology, and physics. c. Research frameworks come from grand nursing theories. d. A research framework is a concrete, logical structure of meaning

ANS: C Research frameworks can come from grand nursing theories, middle range theories from nursing and other professions, synthesis of concepts and relationships from more than one theory, or syntheses of research findings. Every quantitative study has an implicit or explicit framework. Frameworks for physiological studies are usually derived from physiology, genetics, pathophysiology, and physics. A research framework is an abstract, logical structure of meaning, such as a portion of a theory, which guides the development of the study and enables the researcher to link the findings to nursing's body of knowledge.

****13. The nurse researcher plans to evaluate self-care and its effects on disease prevention. The nurse identifies various health promotion activities—such as proper diet, exercise, and hours of sleep per night—as components of self-care. In this example, "effects of self-care on disease prevention" is a a. concept. b. construct. c. theory. d. variable.

ANS: C Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon. A conceptual map includes all the major concepts in a theory or framework. A concept is more abstract than a variable and represents the name for an object or phenomenon of interest. A concept is the most abstract element of all. A construct is a concept that has been created for the study. A construct is a broader category or idea that may encompass several concepts. A variable is more specific than a concept and is variable and measurable

****2. Which statement is true about theory and qualitative studies? a. Qualitative studies rely on conceptual frameworks and not on theory. b. Qualitative studies are not based on theory. c. Qualitative studies may be used to create theory. d. Qualitative studies use theory in the same way as quantitative studies.

ANS: C-Qualitative studies may be used to create theory. Qualitative studies may be based on a theory or may be designed to create a theory. Qualitative studies do not rely on conceptual frameworks. Qualitative studies may be based on theory. Quantitative studies are designed to test the components of a theory, while qualitative studies may merely be based on or seek to create a theory.

5. When reviewing various theoretical frameworks, the nurse researcher identifies several viewpoints about how nurses should engage with terminally ill patients. These viewpoints represent a. abstract ideas. b. assumptions. c. concrete ideas. d. philosophies.

ANS: D A philosophy is an idea that explores truths or principles and describes which ethical ideas should guide practice. An abstract idea focuses on a general view of a phenomenon. Assumptions are statements in a philosophy or theory that are taken for granted or considered to be true. A concrete idea focuses on a particular instance.

23. The level of theory often derived from evidence-based guidelines is a. grand theory. b. grounded theory. c. mid-range theory. d. practice theory.

ANS: D A specific type of mid-range theory is a prescriptive, or practice theory. These are often derived from evidence-based guidelines and are specific to situations. A grand theory is an abstract nursing theory. Grounded theory is theory derived from the analysis of data. A mid-range theory is narrower in scope than a grand theory.

12. The nurse researcher plans to evaluate self-care and its effects on disease prevention. The nurse identifies various health promotion activities—such as proper diet, exercise, and hours of sleep per night—as components of self-care. In this example, "hours of sleep" is a a. concept. b. construct. c. theory. d. variable.

ANS: D A variable is more specific than a concept and is variable and measurable. A construct is a concept that has been created for the study. A construct is a broader category or idea that may encompass several concepts. A concept is more abstract than a variable and represents the name for an object or phenomenon of interest. A concept is the most abstract element of all. Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon.

14. Which is an important characteristic of a variable? a. It is broad and encompasses several ideas. b. It is constant from one instance to another. c. It is less specific than a concept. d. It is measurable and changeable.

ANS: D A variable is more specific than a concept and is variable and measurable. Variables are narrow in their definition. Variables vary from one instance to another. Variables are more specific than are concepts.

***20. Which statement is true about the hypothesis in a research study? a. It clearly identifies concepts. b. It is written at a higher level of abstraction than a general proposition. c. It is not testable. d. It makes a statement about specific relationships among variables.

ANS: D Hypotheses are written to be tested in a study and make predictions about the relationships among variables. The hypothesis does not define concepts. The hypothesis is written at a lower level of abstraction than a framework or proposition. Hypotheses are written to be tested in a study and make predictions about the relationships among variables

***17. In a study about childhood obesity, the researcher discusses the concept of overweight in terms of weight for height measures, body mass index (BMI), body image, self-esteem, and social norms. The researcher states that a BMI less than the 95th percentile represents overweight. This statement is a(n) a. conceptual definition. b. dependent variable. c. independent variable. d. operational definition.

ANS: D The operational definition describes how the concept may be measured or manipulated in a study. A conceptual definition is more comprehensive than a denotative or dictionary definition and includes associated meanings the word may have. The dependent variable is a measurable variable that is hypothesized to change because of manipulation or change in the independent variable. The the independent variable is a measurable variable that is manipulated by the researcher to observe possible changes in the dependent variable.