Background
This paper explores the use of theoretical or conceptual framework in nursing research. McEwen and Will (2019) define theoretical framework as the concepts that give rise to the research problem. The framework enables researchers to evaluate the underlying assumptions critically by connecting the research problem to the existing knowledge. The researcher articulates the theoretical assumptions, thereby justifying the conduct of the study. The framework also enables researchers to identify the bounds of these generalizations by specifying the main variables that influence the phenomenon of interest. Therefore, identifying an accurate theoretical framework enhances the quality of a research by highlighting the meaning, nature, and challenges related to the research phenomenon.
Researchers use a six-step procedure when developing a reliable theoretical framework. Firstly, the researchers evaluate the research problem as the basis for constructing this framework. The research problem is a specific issue or gap in knowledge or practice that the study aims to address. Secondly, using brainstorming and other methods of generating ideas, the researchers must identify the variables that influence the variables of interest. Thirdly, the study must review related literature to identify the underlying assumptions and associations between the variables. Fourthly, they must group the variables into independent and dependent categories. Fifthly, the researcher should review the key social theories to determine the key variables of interest. Lastly, the researcher must discuss the relevance of the theory’s assumptions to the study. The successful execution of these steps limits the scope of the research to focus on the specific variables that are most critical to the study.
Theory in Research
The Use of Theory in the Study of Social Systems
Theory in research offers a conceptual basis for investigating relationships within social systems. It enables researchers to understand, analyze, and develop methods of investigating variables in a relationship (Gray & Grove, 2020). In addition, theory in research facilitates the interpretation and coding of new research data, defining the research problem, and developing new methods of evaluating solutions to the research problems. Moreover, effective application of theory in research helps researchers in responding to new problems that have no pre-determined solutions. Besides, theory in research provides a means of discerning facts within the volumes of existing knowledge and enables the researcher to select the important facts. Therefore, researchers depend on established theory to develop a comprehensive framework of realizing the study objectives.
Use of Theories in the Study of the Research Question
Researchers are confronted by several factors that affect the identified research question. These factors vary in their level of importance to the study. While a few exhibit statistical significance, others do not have much connection the theory despite their perceived relationship. In addition, some factors often have in interactive effects, which might not be decipherable by a casual glance. Researchers rely on theory to identify the most important factors, potential interactions, and the means of collecting reliable datasets using existing methods. In addition, theory provides a basis for guiding and informing researchers in undertaking further studies and improving professional practice.
Using Theories in the Nursing Studies
The use of theory is particularly relevant in nursing research. The theories explicitly define nursing and determine the role of nursing professionals in healthcare settings. In addition, theories justify the nursing interventions conducting in the course of healthcare and provide the required knowledge base needed to act and respond appropriately in healthcare situations. Moreover, they provide nursing researchers and professionals with a sense of identity. In Corinthians 6:17, it is said that “he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (KJV). In the case of nursing research, this identity helps the professionals and researchers acknowledge and understand their unique contribution to the patient’s wellbeing. Furthermore, the theories help nursing researchers to reflect on the underlying assumptions and their impact within diverse healthcare settings. Additionally, researchers apply theories to understand the limits to their research and to provide directions for future studies. Lastly, theories enable researchers to ascribe new meanings to old data, thereby enabling the profession to adapt to the changing healthcare environment. Therefore, theory plays a critical role in nursing research.
Theory as a Conceptual Framework
Researchers incorporate theories in the research by using theory to drive the entire process. The researchers fit the research problem into an existing theoretical framework to guide and enrich the quality of the findings (McEwen & Wills, 2019). McEwen and Willis examine the use of nursing theories in one study by DeSanto-Madeya, which explored the patients’ adaptation to spinal cord injury. DeSanto-Madeya’s study is an effective guide to the application of theory as a conceptual framework in research.
Study Variables
The dependent variables included the emotional, physical, functional, and social components of adaptation after spinal cord injury. The study examined these variables after 1, 3, and 8 years after the patients suffered a spinal cord injury (Fawcett & DeSanto-Madeya, 2013). In contrast, the independent variables included social and educational support extended to the patients by their families.
Conceptual Definitions
The study adapted the Roy Adaptation Model’s (RAM) concepts to evaluate the level of patients’ adaptation over time. This model defines a person as a bio-psycho-social being that interacts constantly with a changing environment. As a result, patients must rely on innate and learned behaviors to survive. The study defined the patient’s family as the adaptive system that is in constant interaction with a variable focal stimulus (time since injury), and the contextual stimuli (the degree of injury as well as variables that enhance or inhibit the patients ’adaptation. These conceptual definitions restricted the researcher’s focus to only the relevant variables identified under the Roy Adaptation Model.
Instruments
DeSanto-Madeya’s study used two main instruments to collect data and evaluate the level of patient’s adaptation. The study used an interview guide developed by the researcher to determine the level of patients’ adaptation. In addition, the study examined the data sheet containing the medical history of the patients. This data was sufficient to make reliable inferences on the sample.
Findings
The study interpreted the findings based on RAM’s concepts. DeSanto-Madeya finds that patients have a moderate level of adaptation to the spinal cord injury irrespective of the duration after injury (2013). The study further finds that the patient’s adaptation to spinal code injury can be enhanced through provision of continuous social and educational support to both the patients and their families. These findings affirm the biblical worldview that being there for people in need strengthens their will to live and boosts their quality of life (King James Bible, 2020).
Relationship of Findings to Framework
The researcher interpreted the findings based on RAM’s model. DeSanto-Madeya developed an adaptation score to describe the patients’ and families’ level of adjustment after the injury. This adaptation score aligned with the RAM, which describes patients as products of their environment. The findings also implied the existence of a cause-and-effect relationship between nursing or other healthcare interventions and the patient’s wellbeing as indicated by the different adaptation scores based on the patient’s level of social and emotional wellbeing.
Implication for Nursing Practice
The study finds that supportive family relationships enable victims of spinal cord injury to adapt easily to their environment. In addition, the study notes that depression often occurs among patients with spinal cord injury and their families. Moreover, the study finds that refocusing of values boosts the patients’ level of adaptation. These findings imply that nursing practitioners should consider patients with spinal cord injuries in the context of their families.
Recommendations for Further Researcher
The study recommended the conduct of additional inquiry using a larger sample. A larger sample reduces the margin of errors in the dataset. In addition, a larger sample size reduces the effect of outliers in the dataset. For these reasons, DeSanto-Madeya recommends the replication of this study using a larger sample to determine if the Roy Adaptation Model could be generalized to the new sample.
Nursing and Non-Nursing Theories
Nursing research should rely on both nursing and non-nursing theories for two reasons. Firstly, other non-nursing disciplines have more advanced theoretical frameworks that could enhance the quality of inquiry and findings from these studies. Secondly, the use of non-nursing theories in nursing research is an appreciation of the integrated nature of the nursing profession. Therefore, both nursing and non-nursing theories should be applied in nursing research.
References
Fawcett, J., & DeSanto-Madeya, S. (2013). Contemporary nursing knowledge: Analysis and evaluation of nursing models and theories (3rd Ed.). Davis.
Gray, J. R., & Grove, S. K. (2020). The practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence. Elsevier Health Sciences.
King James Bible. (2020). King James Bible Online. Web.
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2019). Theoretical basis for nursing. Wolters Kluwer.