Module Components

• Overview

NDNP 804 - Theory for Evidence-Based Practice

Module 10: Theory Analysis: Testing and Revision

Overview

In this online module you will focus on evaluating theories. Before using a theory to inform research or practice, it is important to evaluate the theory’s utility and adequacy, or worthiness, using a standardized set of criteria. This online module presents  four well-respected sets of criteria for theory evaluation:

Walker & Avant (2019) state a theory purporting to describe, explain, or predict something should provide the reader with a clear idea of what the phenomenon is and does, what events affect it, and how it affects other phenomena. Therefore, theory analysis is the systematic examination of the theory for meaning, logical adequacy, usefulness, generality, parsimony, and testability.

Chinn and Kramer (2011) propose that theories should be evaluated using theory description and critical reflection. There are six elements in theory description: purpose, content, definitions, relationships, structure and assumptions. Critical reflection examines how well a theory meets its purpose, and analyzes clarity, consistency, complexity, generality, accessibility and importance.

Fawcett (2005) has identified other criteria that are important in evaluating a theory: significance, internal consistency, parsimony, testability, empirical adequacy, and pragmatic adequacy.

Parse’s (2005) has included two major areas of critical appraisal:  structure and process. Structure criteria refer to the historical evolution, foundational elements, and relational statements. Process criteria include correspondence, coherence, and pragmatics. Before using a theory to inform research or practice, it is important to evaluate the theory’s utility and adequacy, or worthiness, using a standardized set of criteria.

It is essential to use the literature to determine whether selected theories have been tested or revised since the original publication of the theory. Testing can take two forms. First, the propositions may generate testable hypotheses as the basis for one or more studies. The second test would be the application of theoretical propositions to explain results of a study. The first form of testing occurs more often with established theories and quantitative methods, but may occur early in the theory development to test or propositions. The second kind of theory testing is more common and is less about the theory and more about the need of the researcher to find a theoretical basis for results. The second is likely to be misused and you should read these studies carefully to be sure the researcher and the theorist used the same conceptual definitions and philosophy of science. Camphina-Bacote’s Model on Cultural Competence In Healthcare Delivery is an example of theory that has been tested through evidence-based research, and continually evolved over time.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this module, the learner will be able to:

• Explain the purpose of theory evaluation.
• Critically analyze and evaluate a theory using a set of standardized criteria.
• Apply the theory evaluation process to theories of potential interest to the learner in guiding a scholarly project.

Required Readings

• Butts, J.B. & Rich, K.L. (2022) Philosophies and Theories for Advanced Nursing Practice. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett. Chapter 23 pp 468-469), Ch 25
• Walker, L.A. & Avant, K.C. (2019). Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing. 6th Edition. Boston: Pearson, Prentice Hall. Chapter 12 & 13
• Campinha-Bacote, J. (2012). The process of cultural competence in the delivery of healthcare services. Retrieved from http://transculturalcare.net/the-process-of-cultural-competence-in-the-delivery-of-healthcare-services/