Perhaps the place to start in answering this question is to define the term, concept. According to Powers and Knapp (1990) "A concept is an idea or complex mental image of a phenomenon (object, property, or event). Concepts are the major components of theory." (p. 22). Thus, you see the connection between theory and concepts.
A concept analysis is a process of examining written and unwritten sources of information on a concept to clarify its uses and meaning. Several nurse scholars have written and described the process in relation to building theory (McEwen & Wills, 2007; Chinn & Kramer, 1999; Rodgers, 1993; Schwartz-Barcott & Kim, 1993; Walker & Avant, 2005). The process is usually done in early theory building efforts or when the literature on the concept is unclear. A concept anlaysis, as used in this course assignment, is a rigorous process whereby a concept is examined using published written sources. The student conducting the analysis chooses a concept of interest to her/him and progresses through a number of steps in analyzing and synthesizing the literature to arrive at a complete picture of what the concept looks like: its causes, characteristics, and consequences.
You will be reading about the concept analysis process in the McEwen and Wills text and you may want to refer to other supplemental sources listed in your Unit I Reading Assignment. I have also included a Powerpoint presentation on the concept analysis process with an example that a past Theory I student provided. I have also provided an example "student" paper for you to review. Please click the link to access it. I hope these aides are helpful to you. As always I am just a phone call or e-mail away if you have further questions. Good luck on the assignment!
1. Background (15 points)
A. Choose a concept that represents an area/problem of interest to you in your clinical practice. The table below gives you some possible choices. Choice of a concept that is applicable to the family you are working with in your clinical experience is helpful, but not required. In the introduction to the paper describe the concept being analyzed using a scenario, model case summary, poem, or a narrative. Follow with brief summary which speaks to the significance of the concept either to you personally, professionally, or to health (or all). Think about why it is important for you to look at this concept in depth.(5 points)
Please notify me, lpallikk@kumc.edu, of your choice of a concept by October 06, 2006.
| hardiness attachment separation coersion crisis pain grief hope |
self-efficacy wellness influence self-concept integrity growth adaptation caring |
mentorship chronicity health responsibility self-care fatigue power anxiety |
B. Then speak to your specific goals (see concept analysis PowerPoint presentation on why we do concept analyses) in carrying out this concept analysis and relate to your practice or to the family you are working with in clinical. Finally, what are the underlying assumptions for this analysis? Speak to what your beliefs are about this phenomenon prior to conducting the analysis. If your assumptions are also reflected in the literature, reference the sources. Clearly identify your assumptions as well as assumptions in the literature. (10 points)
2 Actual Analysis (60 points)
The actual analysis of the concept is carried out through a review of the literature which should consist of a minimum of ten (10) references, three (3) of which are research articles. (10 points)
Dictionary definitions are over and above the 10 required references. Use a variety of sources in your search. Use of classic and primary sources on the concept is encouraged (e.g. the concept self-efficacy--use literature by Albert Bandura; stress--Selye). Research articles should be from varied fields if applicable to your concept, however, nursing research should be included if it is available. As you write each section of the paper incorporate definitions and information about the concept analysis process. For example, define what the process of concept analysis is early in the paper. Tell the reader about the steps and describe each. For example, in the antecedent section, start by telling what an antecedent is.
A. Definitions: provide at least five definitions of the concept found in the literature. Include a variety of sources including standard dictionaries, medical-nursing dictionaries, theoretical narratives, and research/measurement sources. Compare (differences and similarities) the definitions either as you present them or provide a summary. Dictionary definitions are only a starting point. Present and discuss definitions from relevant professional literature. Identify related concepts in the literature describe/define them in this section of the paper. Discuss the inconsistencies in the literature and the need for concept analysis. (10 points)
B. Antecedents: Define and list and discuss all of the antecedents found in the literature. Which are the most relevant to the analysis of the concept?(10 points).
C. Defining Characteristics: 1) List, define, and discuss all of the defining characteristics found in the literature (10 points). 2) Discuss how the defining criteria have been validated or demonstrated in research. Tip: how has the concept been measured? Have tools been developed to measure the phenomena? The list of all defining characteristics appears in this section of the paper and also should be included in the model case later (10 points). (Total 20 points)
D. Consequences: Define and list all of the consequences found in the literature What is the significance of these consequences? (10 points).
3. Application to Nursing (20 points)
A. Describe four (4) client cases and provide a short summary of how each exemplifies the presence or absence of the defining criteria for model (5 pts.), related (5 pts.), borderline (5 pts.), and contrary cases (5 pts.) (total 20 points). When presenting the model case bold the defining characteristics, underline the antecedents and use italics for the consequences. Identify the source(s) of definition of cases.
4. Length of paper, APA Format, and Grammar (5 points)
The following is in reference to the final paper. Page length varies by complexity of concept. Generally papers should be double-spaced, and from 12 to 16 pages in length, before the reference list. Consistently use APA format and submit in error-free, typewritten form. Significant deviations from APA format, multiple spelling errors, incorrect grammar and quotations without proper credit attribution will be evaluated negatively by deduction of points from total score. http://www.apastyle.org
Evaluation of each part of the paper will be made according to the designated percentages and the following criteria.
Grading Criteria
This paper is often the first scholarly type of paper graduate students write in this program and you may feel like you need some assistance. Please refer to Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th edition.
Should you want more assistance in writing please visit the University of Kansas Writing Center, http://www.writing.ku.edu/.
Also see the University of Virginia School of Nursing Student Writing Guide at http://www.nursing.virginia.edu/programs/academic/writing-guide.html.
Writing Tips
References
Chinn, P.L. and Kramer, M.K. (1995). Theory and nursing (4th ed.) St. Louis: Mosby
Hupcey, J.E., Morse, J.M., Lenz, E.R., Tason, M.C. (1996). Wilsonian methods of concept analysis: A critique. Scholarly Inquiry for Nursing Practice: An International Journal, 10, 185-210.
McEwen, M. & Wills, E.M. (2007) Theoretical basis for nursing. New York: Lippincott.
Powers, B.A. & Knapp, T.R. (1990). A dictionary of nursing theory and research. Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Walker, L. & Avant, K. (2005). Concept analysis. In L. Walker & K. Avant, Strategies for theory construction in nursing (4th ed.) pp. 63-84.