Your “Application of Theoretical Concepts to Research” Paper is due this week. Your paper should contain the following sections:
- Background: contains two subsections, which includes a brief description of the theorist and the phenomenon of concern in the theory.
- Theory Description: a description of each of the concepts in the theory, a diagram of the theory, and a description of how the concepts are related.
- An Evaluation of the Theory: a description of the theory’s weaknesses and how the metaparadigms are described in the theory.
- Application of the Theory:
- Describe two studies that used the theory as a framework for their study, including a description of how they operationalized the concepts.
- How could you use the theory to research a phenomenon in your area of clinical practice? How would you operationalize the concepts?
You MUST use the attached template here to complete your paper.
The paper is to be thoroughly researched and well documented, with relevant material from the nursing theorists presented incorporated into the paper. Use the current edition of the APA Manual throughout the paper. Sources should focus on references from nursing theory but may also include conceptual and theoretical material from other professional domains. The paper, excluding references or appendices, is to be limited to 3-5 pages. Writing should be succinct and well organized, as it is impossible for the facilitator to evaluate form and content separately.
Here is the template to use:
Application of Theoretical Concepts to Research
Begin the first paragraph of your research paper with a half-inch indent. Each paragraph or section needs at least three sentences. Here introduce the paper as a whole (theory you can use in your practice area). Do not put an extra space between sections.
Background
Theorist’s Background
Here introduce the theorist. Talk about the background of the theorist. The theorist’s place of birth or education is rarely important. What was the theorist experiencing personally or professionally that motivated their research?
Phenomenon of Concern
Here describe the phenomenon of concern. A phenomenon is the term that describes an idea or response to an event or situation. In Neuman’ Systems Model, the phenomena focus on stressors perceived by the patient.
Theory Description
Here describe the theory in general. You will want to have three or more sentences here. Try to find the theorist’s original article or study as your source. Is it a grand theory or a middle-range theory? What places the theory in that category?
Concepts
Describe the concepts that the theorist uses. How does the theorist define each concept?
Diagram
Cut and paste an image or diagram of the theory showing the concepts. Make sure that you cite your source for the image.
Relationships
How are each of the concepts related to one another. In some cases, there is a two-way relationship. In other cases, there may be a one-way continuum of relationships.
Evaluation
Weaknesses
What weaknesses do you see in the theory? Does the theory leave unexamined concepts or gaps? If you cannot find anything in the literature, you may have to evaluate the theory yourself to complete this section.
Metaparadigms
Does the theory clearly describe the four metaparadigms? If the theory does not describe the metaparadigms, describe how the theory addresses patient, environment, nursing, and health. The theory may not address all four of the metaparadigms.
Application
Studies That Used the Theory
This section includes other studies or authors that used the theory as the basis for their research. Describe how the author operationalized the concepts of the theory to match the things they wanted to research. Describe two studies.
Area of Practice
Describe how you can use this theory in your area of practice. What phenomenon would you research? How would you operationalize the concepts of the theory to your study?
Conclusion
Write 3 to 4 sentences.
