Ways of Evaluating a Nursing Theory.
Pergamon PII: SOO20-7489(96)00024-7
hf. J. Nurs. Stud,Vol 34, No. I, pp. 7683, 1997 (0 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved Printed in Great Britain 00X-7489/97 %17.00+0.00
The evaluation of nursing theory: a method for our madness
Sharon L. Dudley-Brown
Assistant Professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Department of Material and Clinical Health, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. (Received 20 March 1995;revised 13 January 1996;accepted 11 March 1996)
Abstract
The profession of nursing has, in recent years, been trying to further develop, test and use proposed nursing theory. To utilize theory appropriately, in all domains of practice, education and research, it is important to know how to describe, analyze and evaluate theory. Evaluation of theory both within and among cultures should be a goal for the future of nursing to further advance the science of nursing. From a philosophical and historical standpoint, this paper attempts to define theory, including nursing theory, and then analyze criteria for the evaluation of theory. Finally, a more comprehensive set of criteria for the evaluation of theory is proposed, which may stimulate more informed decisions regarding the choice of nursing theory for use in practice, education and research, and from which may emerge new theories for and of nursing consistent with the ’90s and beyond. 0 1997Elsevier ScienceLtd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Nursing theory; theory evaluation; culture
Introduction
One of the recent trends in the nursing profession in most, if not all, cultures is to produce, utilize, and practice research-based nursing care. Inherent in this goal is the continued development and testing of nursing theory. In order to utilize nursing theory appropriately it is important to know how to describe, analyze, and critique (evaluate) theory. While empirical testing of theory is important, it is but one part of the evaluation of theory. Meleis (1985) states that theory evaluation provides
hf. J. Nurs. Stud,Vol 34, No. I, pp. 7683, 1997 (0 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved Printed in Great Britain 00X-7489/97 %17.00+0.00
The evaluation of nursing theory: a method for our madness
Sharon L. Dudley-Brown
Assistant Professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Department of Material and Clinical Health, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. (Received 20 March 1995;revised 13 January 1996;accepted 11 March 1996)
Abstract
The profession of nursing has, in recent years, been trying to further develop, test and use proposed nursing theory. To utilize theory appropriately, in all domains of practice, education and research, it is important to know how to describe, analyze and evaluate theory. Evaluation of theory both within and among cultures should be a goal for the future of nursing to further advance the science of nursing. From a philosophical and historical standpoint, this paper attempts to define theory, including nursing theory, and then analyze criteria for the evaluation of theory. Finally, a more comprehensive set of criteria for the evaluation of theory is proposed, which may stimulate more informed decisions regarding the choice of nursing theory for use in practice, education and research, and from which may emerge new theories for and of nursing consistent with the ’90s and beyond. 0 1997Elsevier ScienceLtd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Nursing theory; theory evaluation; culture
Introduction
One of the recent trends in the nursing profession in most, if not all, cultures is to produce, utilize, and practice research-based nursing care. Inherent in this goal is the continued development and testing of nursing theory. In order to utilize nursing theory appropriately it is important to know how to describe, analyze, and critique (evaluate) theory. While empirical testing of theory is important, it is but one part of the evaluation of theory. Meleis (1985) states that theory evaluation provides
References: Acton, G. J., Irvin, B. L. and Hopkins, B. A. (1991). Theory-testing research: building the science. Adv. Nurs. Res. 23(5), 3722377.