Middle Range Nursing Theory Assignment

Part I is devoted to an overview of the state of nursing’s body of knowledge and the processes by which it is evaluated.

Chapter 1 introduces the interrelationship between nursing theory, research, and practice. In addition to a brief discussion of epistemology with a summary of Carper’s conceptualization of nurses’ ways of knowing, the majority of the chapter addresses the hierarchy of nursing knowledge. The emphasis, of course, is on the place of middle range theory within that hierarchy (i.e., paradigm, philosophy, conceptual framework, and theories). For each component of the hierarchy, the chapter includes a description of its nature, review of its development, a discussion of its contributions to nursing knowledge, consideration of controversies related to its nature or use, and examples of nurse scholars’ work. The section devoted to middle range theories includes an expanded and updated table with multiple examples of middle range theories referenced. Also included is an expanded discussion of practice or situation-specific theories with a table that provides recent examples of this level of theory development.

Chapter 2 emphasizes the analysis and evaluation of middle range theories, including issues to consider in the selection of a middle range nursing theory for research purposes. This chapter also describes a brief evaluative process for theory analysis. Using this evaluation process, readers can compare and contrast their conclusions about the theory as presented in the chapter with those of a nurse scholar who has also used this evaluation process. The theory analysis exercises related to each chapter are available in the Student Resources located on (http://thepoint.lww.com/Peterson4e).

Parts II to VI Parts II to VI are devoted to specific middle range theories. The selected theories are labeled by their developers or by nurse scholars as middle range theories and are ones frequently cited in published nursing research or practice applications. Many of the chapters contain unique nursing theories; some are borrowed from related disciplines but are, nonetheless, useful to nursing. All theories in the text, however, have the intrinsic capability to be applied to nursing research and practice. They address a wide range of phenomena that allow the researcher to consider a variety of nursing research questions and uses in practice. The theories have been organized by categories to reflect a general focus of research questions or

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practice applications. The categories are not presented as absolute, but more as a guide to direct the user of the book to the theories that might be most relevant to their issue of interest.

Physiological—Pain: Balance of Analgesia and Side Effects; Unpleasant Symptoms Cognitive—Self-efficacy, Reasoned Action Emotional—Empathy, Chronic Sorrow, Experiential Theory of Spiritual Care in Practice Social—Social Support, Interpersonal Relations, Attachment Integrative—Modeling and Role-Modeling, Comfort, Heath-Related Quality of Life, Health Promotion, Deliberative Nursing Process, AACN Synergy Model, Resilience, Change

Special Features Each theory chapter provides the nurse researcher with a variety of tools. Key features include the following:

Definitions of Key Terms appear at the beginning of each chapter to define concepts and aid the reader’s understanding of the theory. Using Middle Range Theories in Research boxes provide examples of how the theory has been used in published research. These have been updated and reformatted, using an outline based on the research process. Using Middle Range Theories in Practice boxes provide examples of theories applied to a specific clinical practice situation. They too have been reformatted so that the clinical issue and the use of the theory as a foundation for nursing intervention are clearly identified. Examples of Theory in Practice tables are included in each chapter. The headings on these tables are similar to the matrix used to critique research as a basis for evidence-based practice. Critical Thinking Exercises at the end of each chapter engage readers in analysis of the theory and its application to practice. Instruments are discussed in the chapters, with specific examples available in the Student Resources located on (http://thepoint.lww.com/Peterson4e).

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