The Role of Theoretical Frameworks in Research
Conducting a nursing research study without a firm theoretical framework is like taking a road trip without a map. You may have a final destination in mind, with an idea of several stops that you would like to make on the way, but without a map you will be unlikely to meet the goals and milestones you set for your trip. Similarly, if you undertake a research study without using a theoretical framework as a guide, your study may lack direction and ultimately fail in providing scholarly, reliable results that inform evidence-based nursing practice. Selecting an appropriate theoretical framework is a crucial step that allows researchers to refine their questions, formulate hypotheses, identify target populations, and choose effective research techniques and designs.
This week, you are introduced to how theory drives research and how research grounded in theory can contribute to evidence-based practice. You examine many current theories and models and you consider their value to nursing research.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Analyze the use of a theoretical framework or model in a research study
Evaluate the importance of using theories and models to guide research
Learning Resources
Note: To access this weeks required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.
Required Readings
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (10th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
Chapter 2, Evidence-Based Nursing: Translating Research Evidence into Practice (Review pages 1431)
Chapter 6, Theoretical Frameworks
In this chapter, you are introduced to the concept of theories, models, and frameworks and how they serve as the foundation for research. The chapter examines key theories for both quantitative and qualitative research. Finally, critiquing frameworks in research reports is detailed.
Cantrell, M. A. (2011). Demystifying the research process: Understanding a descriptive comparative research design. Pediatric Nursing, 37(4), 188189.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article discusses the primary aspects of a prominent quantitative research design as used in a specific research study. The author analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the design, along with the rationale for choosing that design.
Finn, P. (2011). Critical thinking: Knowledge and skills for evidence-based practice. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 42(1), 6972.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article responds to the assertion that rational or critical thinking is an essential complement to evidence-based practice. The author stipulates how critical thinking is relevant to EBP, what skills and thinking dispositions are important, and how thinking can go wrong.
Tagney, J., & Haines, C. (2009). Using evidence-based practice to address gaps in nursing knowledge. British Journal of Nursing (BJN), 18(8), 484489.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article illuminates key barriers to undertaking and implementing nursing research. The authors suggest a framework for improving the implementation of evidence and research.
This animated video shows the process of selecting a particular research framework. The video follows a specific scenario in which a researcher considers several possible frameworks and selects the most appropriate one.
Discussion: Theory, Research, and Evidence-Based Practice
As they explore the world around them, young children often want to know the why and how of the things they observe. This is similar to what researchers do when they approach a new problem. Researchers develop new theories or build on old ones to explain the why of the world around them. They use models and conceptual frameworks to help explain how the processes and events they observe occur. Together, theories and models provide an understanding of the world and allow researchers to explore it in meaningful ways.
Virtually all research questions can benefit from the use of an existing theory or model. Researchers should consider their research questions and select the most suitable theory or model, which then serves as a foundation for the research design. The selection of a theory or model is an important part of the research process.
In this Discussion, you focus on the role of theory and models in research and evidence-based practice.
To prepare:
Review the information in Chapter 6 of the course text. Focus on the various conceptual theories and models that are currently used in nursing research.
Select one of the theories or models described that is of interest to you.
Using the Walden Library, search for and identify a research article that uses the theory or model you selected.
Reflect on how the theory or model provides structure to the research study described in the article.
Now, think about an issue in your practice area that you would be interested in exploring through research.
Review this weeks media presentation and consider strategies for locating and identifying a relevant theory or model for a research study.
Write a summary of the article that you located and explain how the theory or model that you selected was used in the research study. Assess the value of basing research on an established theory or model.
