Selecting a Theoretical Framework

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Selecting a Theoretical Framework

Evaluating a critical appraisal of a research framework can help you to assess the theory’s reliability and validity, as well as its applicability to research and practice. For this Discussion, you will select a theoretical framework in a published study to evaluate. In doing this, you will consider how this framework might be applied to a practice problem of interest to you.

To prepare:

  • Identify a practice problem of interest to you.
  • Locate an article in the Walden Library, or one presented in the Learning Resources, that addresses the practice problem (I’m a critical care nurse [ICU] in a hospital for the adult population). NOTE: You may wish to select an article that specifies the theoretical framework used in the research study addressing the practice problem (meaning a problem pertaining to where I practice as a nurse).
  • Using the strategies presented in Chapter 7 of The Practice of Nursing Research: Appraisal, Synthesis, and Generation of Evidence, critically analyze the selected framework, engaging in “critical appraisal of a research framework,” (p. 127).
  • Determine if the use of the selected framework was appropriate.
  • Ask yourself: Could I apply this theoretical framework to an evidence-based practice project that addresses my problem of interest?

By Wednesday 6/28/17, post 550 words essay in APA format with 3 references from the list below, that include the level one headings as numbered below:

1)       Identify the article you reviewed and the theoretical framework used to explore the practice problem.

2)       Was the framework appropriate for the research? Why or why not?

3)       What new insights did you gain from your analysis and evaluation of the theory?

4)       Could you apply this theory to a practice problem in your clinical setting? Why or why not? If not, what other theory might be better suited to a practice problem in which you are interested?

Required Readings

McEwin, M., & Wills, E.M. (2014). Theoretical basis for nursing. (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health.

Chapter 5, “Theory Analysis and Evaluation”

 This chapter explains the process of analyzing and evaluating theories and describes in detail the most commonly used methods.

Gray, J.R., Grove, S.K., & Sutherland, S. (2017). Burns and Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.

Review Chapter 8, “Frameworks”

Bell, A., Corfield, M., Davies, J., & Richardson, N. (2010). Collaborative transdisciplinary intervention in early years – putting theory into practice. Child: Care, Health & Development, 36(1), 142–148. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2009.01027.x

 Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

 This article assesses the use of the transdisciplinary model of collaborative working for evaluating young children in a community setting.

Evans, M. M. (2010). Evidence-based practice protocol to improve glucose control in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. MEDSURG Nursing, 19(6), 317–3 22.

 Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

 This article discusses intervention methods used to assist patients with controlling their blood sugars and how evidence-based practice protocols contribute to the APN’s holistic view of the patient.

Linder, L. (2010). Analysis of the UCSF symptom management theory: Implications for pediatric oncology nursing. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 27(6), 316–3 24.

 Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

 This article provides an analysis on Symptom Management Theory (SMT) and identifies its strengths, implications for nursing, and opportunities for future research.

Lindh, I., Barbosa da Silva, A., Berg, A., & Severinsson, E. (2010). Courage and nursing practice: A theoretical analysis. Nursing Ethics, 17(5), 551–565. doi:10.1177/0969733010369475

 Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

 This article analyzes the philosophical frameworks used in defining courage and reviews empirical research on courage and nursing practices.

Plummer, M., & Molzahn, A. (2009). Quality of life in contemporary nursing theory: A concept analysis. Nursing Science Quarterly, 22(2), 134–140.

 Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

 This article examines the concept of quality of life from a nursing perspective through an analysis of historic nursing theories.

Weld, K., Padden, D., Ramsey, G., & Garmon Bibb, S. C. (2008). A framework for guiding health literacy research in populations with universal access to healthcare. Advances in Nursing Science, 31(4), 308–318.

 Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

 This article examines the development and application of health literacy frameworks to research and nursing practice.

Optional Resources

Fineout-Overholt, E., Hofstetter, S., Shell, L., & Johnston, L. (2005). Teaching EBP: Getting to the gold: How to search for the best evidence. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 2(4), 207–211.

 Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Freeman, S., Lara, G., Courts, M., Wanzer, L., & Bibb, S. (2009). An evidence-based process for evaluating infection control policies. AORN Journal, 89(3), 489.

 Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Shojania, K., & Olmsted, R. (2002). Searching the health care literature efficiently: From clinical decision-making to continuing education, American Journal of Infection Control, 30(3), 187–195. doi:10.1067/mic.2002.120801

 Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.