about a particular nursing theory. You and your
colleagues may seek consultation for assistance
with analysis and evaluation of specific nursing
theories.
USING A GUIDE TO SELECT
A NURSING THEORY
This is the time to explore using the following
guides for analysis and evaluation of nursing the-
ory. Done individually or as a group, this is an ad-
ditional opportunity to learn and to share. This is
demanding work, but along with the challenge, this
can also be fun, gratifying, and a good way to
strengthen bonds with colleagues.
Analysis and Evaluation
of Nursing Theory
It is important to understand definitions of nursing
theory (as described in Chapter 1) before moving
to theory analysis and evaluation. These definitions
direct examination of structure, content, and pur-
poses of theories. Although each of these defini-
tions is adequate for study of any nursing theory,
choose the definition that seems to best fit with
your particular purpose for studing theory. For ex-
ample, one of the definitions by Chinn and Jacobs
(1987) or Chinn and Kramer (2004) may be chosen
for using theory in research. The definition by Silva
(1997) may be more appropriate for study of nurs-
ing theory for use in practice. Another way to think
about this is to consider whether the definition of
nursing theory in use fits the theory being analyzed
and evaluated. Look carefully at the theory, read the
theory as presented by the theorist, and read what
others have written about the theory. The whole
The whole theory must be studied. Parts
of the theory without the whole will not
be fully meaningful and may lead to mis-
understanding.theory must be studied. Parts of the theory without
the whole will not be fully meaningful and may
lead to misunderstanding.
Before selecting a guide for analysis and evalua-
tion, consider the level and scope of the theory, as
discussed in the previous chapter. Is the theory a
grand nursing theory? A philosophy? A middle-
range nursing theory? A practice theory? Not all as-
pects of theory described in an evaluation guide
will be evident in all levels of theory. For example,
questions about the metaparadigm are probably
not appropriate to use in analyzing middle-range
theories. Whall (1996) recognizes this in offering
particular guides for analysis and evaluation that
vary according to three types of nursing theory:
models, middle-range theories, and practice theo-
ries.
Theory analysis and evaluation may be thought
of as one process or as a two-step sequence. It may
be helpful to think of analysis of theory as neces-
sary for adequate study of a nursing theory and
evaluation of theory as the assessment of a theory’s
utility for particular purposes. Guides for theory
evaluation are intended as tools to inform us about
theories and to encourage further development, re-
finement, and use of theory. There are no guides for
theory analysis and evaluation that are adequate
and appropriate for every nursing theory.
Johnson (1974) wrote about three basic criteria
to guide evaluation of nursing theory. These have
continued in use over time and offer direction for
guides in use today. These criteria state that the the-
ory should:- define the congruence of nursing practice with
societal expectations of nursing decisions and
actions; - clarify the social significance of nursing, or the
impact of nursing on persons receiving nursing;
and - describe social utility, or usefulness of the theory
in practice, research, and education.
The following are outlines of the most fre-
quently used guides for analysis and evaluation.
These guides are components of the entire work
about nursing theory of the individual nursing
scholar and offer various interesting approaches to
the study of nursing theory. Each guide should be
studied in more detail than is offered in this intro-
duction and should be examined in context of the
whole work of the individual nurse scholar.
The approach to theory analysis set forth by
Chinn and Kramer (2004) is to use guidelines
for describing nursing theory that are based on
20 SECTION I Perspectives on Nursing Theory