For courses in nursing theory.

The clearest, most useful introduction to theory development methods
Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing provides a straightforward, logically organized resource on theory development, from a nursing perspective. It places theory development in the context of both a rich history tracing back to the mid-¿20th century and of contemporary and emerging issues. Present¿-day coverage includes population- and domain-specific theories addressing the needs of diverse clients. Reflecting vast changes in nursing practice, the 7th edition covers advances both in theory development and in strategies for concept, statement, and theory development. It also builds further connections between nursing theory and evidence-based practice.

Lorraine O. Walker, RN, EdD, MPH, FAAN, has had a lifelong interest in nursing knowledge development and maternal and infant health. She received a BSN from the University of Dayton, as well as a master’s degree in nursing education with a specialization in maternity nursing, and a doctoral degree in philosophy of education from Indiana University-Bloomington. She also received an MPH degree in maternal-child health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and completed post-doctoral studies in educational psychology at The University of Texas at Austin. She currently holds the Luci B. Johnson Centennial Professorship in Nursing. Her teaching includes global health; quantitative design and analytic methods; and theoretical and philosophical aspects of nursing. Her research focuses on health promotion of childbearing-aged women and infants. Dr. Walker was honored in 2017 by induction into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame.

Kay C. Avant, PhD, RN, FNI, FAAN, retired as Professor Emeritus in 2016. She has also had a lifelong interest in nursing knowledge development and maternal-infant health. She received her diploma in nursing from Methodist Hospital, Dallas; her BSN from Texas Christian University; her MSN from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; and her PhD from Texas Woman’s University. She completed post-doctoral work in community and school health nursing at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia. Her teaching included philosophy of science, theoretical development of nursing, and informatics. Her research interests are primarily in standardized language development, and global health of women and children.

Brief Table of Contents

PART 1: OVERVIEW OF THEORY AND THEORY DEVELOPMENT
1. Theory in Nursing: Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?
2. Using Knowledge Development and Theory to Inform Practice
3. Approaches to Theory Development

PART 2: DERIVATION STRATEGIES
4. Concept Derivation
5. Statement Derivation
6. Theory Derivation

PART 3: SYNTHESIS STRATEGIES
7. Concept Synthesis
8. Statement Synthesis
9. Theory Synthesis

PART 4: ANALYSIS STRATEGIES
10. Concept Analysis
11. Statement Analysis
12. Theory Analysis

PART 5: PERSPECTIVES ON THEORY AND ITS CREDIBILITY
13. Assessing the Credibility and Scope of Nursing Knowledge Development: Concepts, Statements, and Theories


Detailed Table of Contents

PART 1: OVERVIEW OF THEORY AND THEORY DEVELOPMENT

1. Theory in Nursing: Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?
Theory Development in Nursing: A Beginner’s Guide
A Historical Glimpse at Theory in Nursing as a Profession
Evolution of Theory Development: Metatheory to Practice Theory
Population- and Domain-Focused Theories and Models
Global Nursing Theory Development Issues and Efforts
Summary
References
Additional Readings

2. Using Knowledge Development and Theory to Inform Practice
Introduction
Evidence-Based Practice and Practice-Based Evidence
Nursing Informatics
Nursing Practice Research and Theory Development
Summary
Practice Exercise
References
Additional Readings

3. Approaches to Theory Development
Introduction
Elements of Theory Building
Interrelatedness of Elements
Approaches to Theory Building
Strategy Selection
Interrelatedness of Strategies
Summary
References
Additional Readings

PART 2: DERIVATION STRATEGIES

4. Concept Derivation
Definition and Description
Purpose and Uses
Procedures for Concept Derivation
Application of Concept Derivation to Nursing
Advantages and Limitations
Utilizing the Results of Concept Derivation
Summary
Practice Exercise
References

5. Statement Derivation
Definition and Description
Purpose and Uses
Procedures for Statement Derivation
Application of Statement Derivation to Nursing
Advantages and Limitations
Utilizing the Results of Statement Derivation
Summary
Practice Exercises
References
Additional Readings

6. Theory Derivation
Definition and Description
Purpose and Uses
Procedures for Theory Derivation
Examples of Theory Derivation
Application of Theory Derivation to Nursing
Advantages and Limitations
Utilizing the Results of Theory Derivation
Summary
Practice Exercises
References
Additional Readings

PART 3: SYNTHESIS STRATEGIES

7. Concept Synthesis
Definition and Description
Purpose and Uses
Approaches to Concept Synthesis
Procedures for Concept Synthesis
Advantages and Limitations
Utilizing the Results of Concept Synthesis
Summary
Practice Exercises
References
Additional Readings

8. Statement Synthesis
Definition and Description
Purpose and Uses
Procedures for Statement Synthesis
Advantages and Limitations
Utilizing the Results of Statement Synthesis
Summary
Practice Exercise
Self-Assessment Test of Introductory Statistics
References
Additional Readings

9. Theory Synthesis
Definition and Description
Example of the Use of Theory Synthesis Process
Purpose and Uses
Procedures for Theory Synthesis
Illustrations of Theory Synthesis
Advantages and Limitations
Utilizing the Results of Theory Synthesis
Theory Synthesis and Integrative Models and Theories
Summary
Practice Exercises
References
Additional Readings

PART 4: ANALYSIS STRATEGIES

10. Concept Analysis
Definition and Description
Purpose and Uses
Procedures for Concept Analysis
Advantages and Limitations
Utilizing the Results of Concept Analysis
Response to Criticism of this Method
Summary
Additional Example and Practice Exercise
Practice Exercise
References
Additional Readings

11. Statement Analysis
Definition and Description
Purpose and Uses
Steps in Statement Analysis
Advantages and Limitations
Utilizing the Results of Statement Analysis
Summary
Practice Exercises
References
Additional Readings

12. Theory Analysis
Definition and Description
Purpose and Uses
Procedures for Theory Analysis
Advantages and Limitations
Utilizing the Results of Theory Analysis
Summary
Practice Exercise 1
Practice Exercise 2
References
Additional Readings

PART 5: PERSPECTIVES ON THEORY AND ITS CREDIBILITY

13. Assessing the Credibility and Scope of Nursing Knowledge Development: Concepts, Statements, and Theories
A Glance at Concept, Statement, and Theory Testing
Concept Testing
Statement Testing
Theory Testing
The Scope of, and Central Concerns, in Nursing Knowledge
Closing Commentary
References
Additional Readings