NURS 7105 - Analyzing & Constructing Conceptual & Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Science

This course provides students with the techniques to explore the structure of concepts and theories and explore their role in research and practice. Students will learn to identify the level of development of concepts and theories, and how to develop them further using the literature as data or qualitative methods. We will explore the structure of nursing knowledge, and methods of concept identification, delineation, comparison and clarification. Students will also critique existing conceptual and theoretical frameworks including determining their usefulness for application in research. We will discuss methods of concept and theory modeling and the development of mid-range theory, within the context of research programs. By the end of the course the students will be competent in critiquing and using concepts and theories in their research and practice, and developing conceptual frameworks. Students will also understand the complementary and incremental nature of nursing knowledge development.